Brothers at War: Prince William and Harry's Relationship Is 'Very Bad' — But 'Not Irreparable'

Princes William and Harry reportedly last spoke at Queen Elizabeth II's September 2022 funeral, which is a clear sign to many that the formerly close brothers are "bitterly estranged." In what has been labeled as the worst royal feud "in decades," one insider feels that King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales's sons are not yet in "irreparable" rift territory.

However hopeful this news sounds, analysts feel that the princely estrangement is here to stay at least in the short term. William's possible accession to the British throne, if the feud is still raging, could even test the insider's theory if what some commentators predict is true about that future scenario.

"Because what would the repercussions be if Prince William pushed you out of the fold?" royal expert Kinsey Schofield recently asked when discussing William's future inheritance of the Crown.

"I do think he [Harry] would write about his family again," she added. "He was waiting to publish a book after [Queen Elizabeth died]. Originally they were saying there was going to be another publication after the [late] Queen died. I suspect that maybe he would release a book after his father passed away, especially if Prince William continues to keep him at arm's length."

Other reports suggest the future king has decided it is time to "fully" sever all contact with his younger sibling.

"William is sensitive, he likes structure and has perseverance," Ingrid Seward, the author of William & Harry: A Portrait of Two Princes shared. "He does not give up easily. His relationship with brother Harry upset him more than he would care to admit. But he found it easier to cut ties rather than allow himself to be continually annoyed."

"His father got cancer and Kate had a serious abdominal operation," she added. "Later to announce she too had to have cancer treatment. William played both mother and father to the children while he carried on with his royal duties supporting the Queen in his father's absence. The traumas of the past year have made him a stronger person. He has become the kind of man Diana always hoped he would be. Kind considerate and able to take on whatever life throws at him."

It remains to be seen in the eyes of many royal experts and insiders if both brothers can move past the vitriol they reportedly carry for one another now. But another source also shared hope in the weeks following Harry and Meghan Markle's explosive Oprah Winfrey interview, which kicked the rift into high gear.

"Yes, they are the sons of the next king, but many seem to forget they are also Diana's children," a royal insider said in 2021. "The late princess' compassion and empathy is strong in both men."

People reported on the insider revelation.