As Prince Harry approaches his 40th birthday this July, much speculation surrounds his fractured relationship with his older brother Prince William. While time may help heal old wounds, it seems William is not yet ready to extend an olive branch to Harry when it comes to one of the most important events in his life – his coronation as King of England.
According to sources close to William, the future monarch has no desire for Harry to be present at his coronation, whenever that monumental occasion may be. A confidante of the two brothers told The Sunday Times that there is still deep resentment lingers due to Harry and Meghan’s sudden departure from royal duties and relocation to California in 2020.
Since moving to America, Harry and Meghan have made several public attacks against the royal family. Harry’s forthcoming memoir, set for release later this year, is also said to contain more bombshell revelations. These actions have only served to further damage Harry’s relationship with his brother and other senior royals like Prince Charles.
While Harry and Meghan did reach out to William, Kate, and Charles after the King’s cancer diagnosis last fall, the gestures were apparently not reciprocated. It seems William is still not ready or willing to forgive his younger brother for the accusations leveled at the institution of the monarchy and Harry’s own family members like Kate. In his recently published memoir, Harry alluded to tensions with his sister-in-law in the early days of her and William’s courtship.
According to advisers, William’s focus in 2023 will be on supporting his father in the early years of his reign as King, as well as prioritizing his wife Kate and their three young children – 8-year-old Prince George, 7-year-old Princess Charlotte, and 4-year-old Prince Louis. Understandably, mending fences with his estranged brother may not be high on William’s list of priorities at the moment.
Friends have revealed the future king hopes his coronation, whenever it comes to pass, has its own distinct atmosphere and identity separate from past royal crowning ceremonies. Some have theorized this could mean Harry’s deliberate absence from proceedings.
While the coronation may be years away yet, the frosty state of relations between the brothers suggests Harry faces an uphill battle to regain William’s trust and secure an invitation. Despite sharing a life of privilege and purpose as senior royals for decades, the bond between the siblings now appears irrevocably broken.
The Sunday Times source spoke of the “heartbreaking truth” regarding Harry and William’s complete communication breakdown since Megxit. Numerous media reports in the past two years have described fierce arguments and disagreements taking place behind palace walls following Harry’s bombshell announcement.
Even a one-time adviser to both princes acknowledged the difficult road ahead, noting William’s “gaze remains fixated on the past.” Simply put, the prince is seemingly unable to move forward without resentment over his brother’s exit from the family firm and serial public criticisms.
As Harry hits the milestone 40th birthday, it may be time for deep introspection on his part. If there is any hope of reconciliation with William down the line, accepting past mistakes and looking to rebuild trust slowly through discreet private talks may be needed. But for the ever-dutiful William, the well-being of his father, wife, and children will understandably remain the priority for now.
Only time will tell if the brothers can resolve issues amicably. But barring significant rapprochement efforts on Harry’s end, an invite to his brother’s crowning ceremony seems highly unlikely at this point. William’s coronation looks poised to be a solemn affair to commemorate his ascension, without the added family drama of a still-estranged sibling in attendance. For the sake of their relationship and family’s future, here’s hoping more conciliatory steps can be taken soon between the once close brothers to patch up their severely frayed bond.
