Prince Harry, William Could 'Patch Things Up' By May; King Charles To Play 'Peacemaker,' Insider Says
Prince Harry and Prince William may finally set their differences aside and reconcile after what has been a tumultuous few months for the royal family, a former royal staffer has predicted.
On Wednesday, King Charles' ex-butler Grant Harrold suggested to Sky News Australia that the once-close brothers -- who have been estranged since the Duke of Sussex quit royal duties in 2020 -- may get the opportunity to talk and "patch things up" when Prince Harry visits London in May.
"It is very likely that Harry and William will see each other next month, and anything is possible," Harrold said.
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Harrold, who worked closely with Charles when he was Prince of Wales, added that he believes the monarch would play "peacemaker" for his two sons because of his desire to see their relationship repaired.
He went on to suggest that King Charles may invite both Prince William and Prince Harry to a dinner or reception once the latter is in town, though it would "depend on all their diaries."
"Family means everything to the King, like his mother and one of his top priorities will be to ensure that this family rift is healed," Harrold told the outlet.
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While the trip has not yet been officially announced, Prince Harry is reportedly expected to return to the U.K. next month for the 10th-anniversary celebrations of the Invictus Games set to take place at St. Paul's Cathedral on May 8.
The Duke of Sussex last visited his home country in February after Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment.
However, Prince Harry flew back to the U.S. right after a brief meeting with his father and reportedly did not see Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton, who was recovering from abdominal surgery at the time.
Following the trip, Prince Harry hinted in an interview with "Good Morning America" that King Charles' diagnosis could heal the rift within his family.
"I love my family. And the fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see [my father] and spend any time with him, I'm grateful for that," the duke said.
Asked if he believed the health crisis could have a "reunifying effect" on the royal family, Prince Harry responded, "Absolutely. Yeah, I'm sure. ... I think any illness, any sickness brings families together."
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His sister-in-law, Princess Kate, has since announced that she was also diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
The New York Post reported that Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle were "blindsided" by the news and only learned about Middleton's cancer diagnosis at the same time as the public.
"This goes to show the irreparable damage they have caused. The trust has been broken and the royal family is OK distancing themselves from them," an unnamed insider told the outlet at the time.
(Photo : Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly privately reached out to Prince William and Princess Kate to offer support before releasing a public statement, according to People.
"We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace," Prince Harry and Markle said in a statement after Middleton announced her condition.
Prince Harry has repeatedly said he is open to sitting down with his family and settling their differences in a move that would set them on the path to reconciliation.
He claimed in a 2023 ITV interview that he wanted to reconnect with King Charles and Prince William but that the royal family had "shown absolutely no willingness to reconcile."
However, a report suggested last week that Prince William and Middleton were ready to bury the hatchet with Prince Harry and Markle.
Royal author Tom Quinn told the Mirror that the Prince and Princess of Wales reached out to the Sussexes and asked them to bring their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, with them on their next visit to the U.K.
According to Quinn, however, Markle allegedly declined the offer.
The Post reported that unnamed sources denied the claims.
