Prince William’s “mistrust of Meghan Markle” is a “major reason” why William won’t engage with his brother, Prince Harry, a leading expert has claimed. It has been five years since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quit as senior working royals and moved to Montecito, California, to live with their two children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, three.
Speaking to Fox News, leading royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said: “William feels Harry has betrayed the Royal Family. “Given… the personal attacks on him in the memoir ‘Spare,’ reconciliation is likely to be a tough call with the [Prince of Wales].”
The royal expert further warned, “There are some things which are not forgotten.”
Mr Fitzwilliams added: “Of course, reconciliation is desirable and being in exile, which Harry is, is often very sad… The last time the brothers were together, at the memorial service for Lord Fellowes last August, they reportedly didn’t speak. I doubt much has changed.”
Another royal expert Hilary Fordwich made similar claims saying, “Persistent lack of trust is the main reason why senior royals remain reluctant to engage in reconciliation efforts.”
In August 2024, Prince Harry flew from his home in the US to join his brother at St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, for the funeral of their mother’s brother-in-law Lord Robert Fellowes.
According to The Sun, both brothers ‘discreetly’ attended the service, slipping in and out quietly. A source told the paper: “William and Harry were both there but we never saw them speak to each other and they were keeping their distance.”
Prior to the funeral, the Duke of Sussex had previously visited the UK to see his father, King Charles, in February 2024 and again for the Invictus Games, an international sport event for wounded and ill members of the armed forces in veterans, in May.
There could be a wider rift developing between the two brothers as Hugh Grosvenor, godson to King Charles, is reportedly in a dilemma over whether to ask Prince Harry or William to be the godfather of his newborn daughter.
The Duke of Westminster and his wife, Olivia, celebrated the birth of their daughter Cosima on July 27, an event that likely delighted both William and Harry who are among Hugh’s closest pals.
As per The Times, Hugh and Olivia are navigating a “minefield” as they decide whether to bestow the honour upon Harry or William.
Hugh’s late father, Gerald Grosvenor, shared a tight friendship with King Charles, who subsequently became one of Hugh’s godparents.