Prince Harry reached out to his estranged brother, Prince William, before visiting their cancer-stricken father, King Charles III, in the UK, according to a new report.
A palace source told People Thursday that Harry wants to reconcile with William and even contacted the Prince of Wales prior to flying to London last month to see Charles for just under an hour.
However, there were “no plans” for the siblings to meet up in person, per the insider.
“It would be the normal run of things to go and see your sister-in-law who’s had a serious operation and also see your niece and nephews,” a source close to the royal household told the magazine, referring to William’s wife Kate Middleton’s ongoing recovery from abdominal surgery in January.
“But it isn’t normal. It’s terribly sad,” the source added.
Explore More
Prince William breaks his silence on conspiracy theories surrounding Kate Middleton’s health
Kate Middleton sets first public appearance after abdominal surgery
Kate Middleton to attend Trooping the Colour parade after mysterious abdominal surgery
Another insider noted that while the royals are “a high-profile family,” they “still have a lot of the same issues as everyone else.”
Royal biographer Catherine Mayer explained that much of the drama comes from a lack of trust.
“The family torment is an open sore,” the author told People. “There is such a profound breach there.”
A second royal expert, Robert Lacey, agreed that Harry broke the monarchy’s trust when he aired his family’s dirty laundry in his memoir, “Spare,” last year as well as in his Netflix docuseries with his wife, Meghan Markle, “Harry & Meghan.”
“This is all to do with William’s wish to protect the institution of the monarchy, which he feels Harry can’t be trusted with,” Lacey said, adding, “I don’t think William will ever agree to readmission of Harry into the family unless he clearly apologizes and moves forward.”
Charles, who hopes to reconcile with his youngest son, likely will not be the one to help thaw tensions between William and Harry, according to the report.
“Of course he would like Harry to be the prodigal son and come back and would be much happier if William and Harry were friends again,” royal biographer Ingrid Seward told the publication. “But he realizes that is just not about to happen.”
Want more celebrity and pop culture news?
Start your day with Pvnew Daily.
Thanks for signing up!
William, 41, has been lying low amid Middleton’s recovery and even bailed on a royal event last week for “personal reasons.” However, sources confirmed to Pvnew at the time that the prince’s absence had nothing to do with his wife’s health and that Middleton, 42, is “doing well.”
While things may not be getting any better for the feuding brothers, Harry, 39, and Charles, 75, could be mending their broken relationship.
Harry revealed last month that he learned of his father’s cancer diagnosis directly from his dad and believes the monarch’s condition could open the door for reconciliation.
“I think any illness, any sickness brings families together,” Harry said during a “Good Morning America” interview at an Invictus Games event.
The prince, who quit his royal duties in 2020 and moved to California with Markle, also revealed that he has plans to travel back to London and will see his father and other family members when he does.
“I’ve got other trip plans that will take me through the UK, or back to the UK, and so I’ll stop in and see my family as much as I can,” he shared.
