EXCLUSIVE: Prince Harry Eyes Christmas Return to Royal Family Amid Rift
Prince Harry eyes a Christmas reunion with the royal family as tensions surrounding the rift linger.
Aug. 7 2026, Published 6:15 a.m. ET
Prince Harry's reunion with his father, King Charles, has opened the door for more visits, including a Christmas holiday homecoming – setting the stage for an ugly showdown with estranged brother Prince William, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
Sources said the protective Prince of Wales still holds a grudge against his younger brother and diva sister-in-law Duchess Meghan [Markle] for ditching their royal duties in 2020, moving to America and trashing Britain's royals.
Harry Eyes Royal Christmas Return
Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet could join Prince Harry for a Christmas visit to the U.K.
An insider RadarOnline.com that Harry sees Christmas as the perfect opportunity to once again bring Markle and their children – Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5 – to the U.K.
The source shared: "He always gets very homesick at that time of year. He misses being a part of all their traditions, and he would love Archie and Lilibet to experience a proper royal Christmas."
According to the source, Harry knows his brother will react badly to the idea – but Harry "simply doesn't care" what William thinks.
"If he wants to be nasty about it and turn it into some sort of ugly confrontation, Harry can't stop him, but he's not going to let William dictate the terms of when his children spend time with their grandfather," the insider added.
Royal Rift Reaches Boiling Point
King Charles reportedly reunited with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet at Highgrove House after four years apart.
Sources said the siblings' ongoing squabble recently went nuclear when Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, had an emotional reunion with cancer-stricken Charles, 77, and his 79-year-old wife, Queen Camilla, at Highgrove House, where the king got to see his California-based grandkids in person for the first time in four years.
Stubborn William, 44, steered clear of the meeting and his brother – even though they were a mere 12 miles apart during dual public engagements on July 7 – amid talk that the future king felt Harry was leveraging his kids to orchestrate a meeting with the monarch.
"William is furious at everything that Harry did to throw the family under the bus," royal expert Hilary A. Fordwich told RadarOnline.com. "It's emotional blackmail what Harry is doing with his children's grandfather – and without a doubt, William feels the same way."
Kensington Palace denies the story.
Harry Eyes Lasting Royal Return
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Insiders believe Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are planning a return to the royal fold.
Some said William also suspects his cash-hungry brother may be trying to milk the softhearted king for an advance on his inheritance.
Insiders believe Harry and Markle are also planning a return to the royal fold after their California dreams didn't perfectly pan out.
"Harry is determined not to let this visit be a one-off, and obviously the king's diary has to be arranged well in advance, so he's already started speaking to his father about when they should meet next," the insider told RadarOnline.com.
"As far as he's concerned, if Charles wants him there, that's all the encouragement he needs to keep moving forward. If it sends William into a meltdown, so be it. He's not going to be bullied."
