Prince Harry and Prince William’s once-close relationship has crumbled into what might be the most high-profile sibling feud in recent history. The two brothers are now reportedly not even speaking to each other, despite Harry’s several visits to the U.K. this year.
The rift began years ago, even before Harry married Meghan Markle. In his memoir *Spare*, Harry recounts a painful moment before his wedding. He was staying at a hotel in London with friends, expecting William to join them. William canceled at the last minute, which deeply upset Harry. He was especially hurt because he had hoped they could follow their tradition of spending the night before a wedding together, just as they had done before William’s own wedding to Kate Middleton. William’s dismissive response, asking why they even needed to greet the crowds, left Harry feeling sick.
Eventually, William did join Harry for dinner and the traditional crowd greeting, a gesture Harry suspects was influenced by their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. However, William still refused to stay at the hotel with Harry and his friends, citing his responsibilities with his children as the reason.
Fast forward to today, and their relationship has deteriorated further. William now views Harry and Meghan as a nuisance rather than family. Paul Burrell, a former butler to Princess Diana, reveals that William has essentially dismissed Harry and Meghan as “background noise.” Burrell suggests that William no longer wants to engage with Harry or be drawn into any more conflicts with him, as he feels it’s not worth the trouble.
Burrell also mentions that William would be particularly outraged if Harry and Meghan were to target Princess Catherine in any of their plans, as William is very protective of his wife, especially during her ongoing cancer treatment.
Despite their fractured relationship, the sense of betrayal runs deep, not just for Harry but also for William, who feels let down by his brother’s actions at a time when Harry and Meghan’s support would have been crucial for the future of the monarchy.
