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It has been widely reported that the relationship between Prince William and Prince Harry remains strained, despite coming face-to-face for the first time in over a year at their uncle's funeral earlier this month. While both brothers attended the memorial service for their late uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, who passed away in July at the age of 82, it seems there was little interaction between William and Harry.
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Reverend Matthew Tanzi, who presided over the funeral service near the Royal Sandringham estate, said he did not see the brothers conversing with each other at the post-service reception. "I don't recollect them speaking to each other, although there were a lot of family members and friends speaking to them," Reverend Tanzi told The Sun. This follows years of increasing tension between the siblings since Harry's decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 and move to California with his family.
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Harry had been living in Montecito with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, but flew back to the UK discreetly to attend the funeral. According to Reverend Tanzi, Harry's attendance came as a surprise. "It was not a huge surprise that William was there as it was always a possibility, but I believe it was more of a surprise that Harry had come," he said. However, he noted that both brothers expressed gratitude for the service before departing.
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While they were physically in the same room for the first time since attending Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022, multiple sources say William and Harry did not interact or speak to each other at Lord Fellowes' service. "William and Harry were both present but we never saw them talk to each other and they were maintaining their distance from one another," one source told The Daily Beast.
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This confirms reports that the rift between the brothers remains deep, despite hopes for some sort of reconciliation after two years of living on different continents and ongoing family disputes catching international attention. Much of the estrangement stems from Harry's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, where he and Meghan made damaging allegations against the Royal Family.
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In the interview, Harry said William was "trapped" within the royal system and they were on "different paths" now. He also claimed an unnamed royal had expressed "concern" about his children's skin color before they were born. More fuel was added to the fire with the January 2022 release of Harry's memoirs, titled "Spare", in which he alleged William had referred to Meghan as "that woman" in a derogatory manner before their wedding.
According to reports, William has felt deeply hurt and betrayed by Harry's constant public criticisms of the family. "Ultimately what is now haunting the brothers is this sense of loss - and loss of each other," a close friend told The Mirror after "Spare" was published. "Too much water has gone under the bridge for the relationship to be repaired."
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Royal expert Michael Cole agrees the rift may now be irreparable, given the huge challenge to William's future role as sovereign. "What men cannot put up with are two things - disloyalty and their wife being ridiculed," he said, suggesting William sees Harry as disloyal for his attacks on the institution of monarchy. Reports indicate William wants Harry to stay away from his upcoming coronation in respect for the seriousness of the ceremony.
While the public may hold out hope the brothers can reconcile someday, current signs point to their relationship remaining broken. This was evident yet again at Lord Fellowes' funeral last month, as William and Harry maintained distance without speaking. Multiple sources confirm William doesn't often discuss his estranged sibling these days as he focuses on his own young family and responsibilities as heir to the throne.
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As for Harry, he will return to New York City this month to promote his initiatives on issues like mental health and the environment. But beneath the surface, the deep personal wounds with his brother may never fully heal. Only time will tell if more olive branch offerings are made, or if this royal rift proves to be a long-term fracture in one of the most famous fraternal relationships in the world. For now, it seems the painful chapter of division between Princes William and Harry shows no signs of concluding any time soon.
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