The distance between Prince Harry and Prince William has been more than geographical following the upheaval of Megxit and the ensuing public rift. However, well before the Sussexes’ dramatic exit from royal duties, there were already rumblings of discord.
In a striking move in 2020, Harry, alongside Meghan Markle, stepped back from their roles as senior members of the Royal Family. But this decision was foreshadowed in 2019 when Prince Harry rejected an attempt at reconciliation from Prince William. Concerned about potential media leaks, Harry responded to William’s invitation for a peace talk with a curt “don’t come, told the Mirror.
This tension was hinted at by Prince Harry during an ITV interview in South Africa, where he acknowledged the strains of royal life and the impact on his relationship with his brother. He expressed his enduring love for William despite acknowledging that they were on diverging paths and experiencing natural sibling ebbs and flows.
The situation reached a head when William reached out for a brotherly discussion, as described in the book “Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown.” Initially open to the meeting, Harry’s attitude shifted upon learning that William would need to inform his private secretary to arrange their chat. Fearing a leak to the press, Harry decided to cancel the meeting, preferring to maintain distance rather than risk a media spectacle.