Prince William is reportedly focused on Kate Middleton and their three children, while a royal expert says the rift with Prince Harry may be too deep to repair.
LONDON: The long-running rift between Prince William and Prince Harry appears to remain deeply entrenched, with a royal commentator suggesting that William may never fully forgive his younger brother.
Royal expert Phil Dampier, speaking to the Daily Mail, said William’s priorities are now firmly centered on his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. According to Dampier, Harry has effectively become part of William’s past.
The comments come as attention turns toward 2027, when the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death will be marked. Diana died in a car crash in Paris on Aug. 31, 1997, when William was 15 and Harry was 12.
Diana’s memory has previously provided a rare point of connection for the brothers. William and Harry appeared together in 2021 for the unveiling of a statue of their mother at Kensington Palace, temporarily setting aside their differences for the occasion.
However, Dampier believes the relationship has deteriorated considerably since then. He suggested that even an event dedicated to Diana’s legacy may not be enough to persuade William to rebuild the relationship.
The assessment contrasts with reports that the brothers could potentially find themselves at the same Diana-related event in 2027. Recent reports have suggested that a major Diana Award gathering could provide an opportunity for William and Harry to appear together, although no confirmed joint royal engagement has been announced.
According to Dampier, William’s reluctance is linked not simply to Harry’s decision to step back from royal duties but also to the public disclosures that followed. Harry’s memoir Spare, the Netflix documentary series featuring the Sussexes and his 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey all brought private family tensions into the public arena.
Dampier also pointed to the controversy surrounding comments about Catherine, saying the fallout has contributed to William’s apparent unwillingness to move past the dispute.
The brothers were last publicly seen together at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, and subsequent reports have described their relationship as distant.
For now, any reconciliation remains uncertain. With Diana’s 30th death anniversary approaching, public interest in a possible royal reunion is likely to intensify, but commentary surrounding William suggests that a symbolic occasion alone may not be enough to repair the brothers’ fractured relationship.
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