Expert: Prince William reluctant to invite Prince Harry to coronation

Prince William has been contemplating his future, and it appears Prince Harry is not part of it. The Prince of Wales reportedly wants his coronation to be distinct from previous ones and prefers that his estranged brother, Prince Harry, not attend, as noted by the UK Sunday Times.

A close friend of the brothers revealed to the outlet that William and Harry have not spoken in nearly two years. Christopher Andersen, author of “The King,” expressed his hope that William won’t exclude Harry from this significant event.

Despite the strained relationship, Andersen believes William won’t be “foolish enough” to leave his only sibling, the fifth in line to the throne, out of the coronation. When asked for comment, a spokesperson for Kensington Palace, responsible for Prince William and the Princess of Wales’ public affairs, did not immediately respond.

As the heir to the throne, William will succeed his father, King Charles, who became monarch following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022. However, both King Charles and William’s wife, Kate Middleton, are currently battling cancer, adding further stress to already strained family ties.

The brothers’ relationship significantly deteriorated after Harry and Meghan Markle’s exit from royal duties in 2020. The couple cited unbearable intrusions by the British press and racist attitudes as reasons for their departure. Since then, Harry has openly discussed his troubled ties with his family through interviews, a documentary, and his memoir, “Spare.”

In his book, Harry reveals details of his conflict with William, including a physical altercation in 2019 where William allegedly insulted Meghan and knocked Harry to the ground. The strained relationship became public knowledge during the funeral of their grandfather, Prince Philip, in 2021. Charles reportedly pleaded with his sons to reconcile, but the relationship has remained tense.

British royals expert Hilary Fordwich commented on the situation, explaining that while Harry looks back with regret, William focuses on his duties and responsibilities. Fordwich noted that William’s choice to focus on serving the public contrasts starkly with Harry’s more individualistic approach.

Since their departure from the U.K., Harry and Meghan have operated as private citizens and have occasionally clashed with the royal family. Their interviews and public statements often draw negative reactions from senior royals, who see them as undermining the monarchy.

Fox News Digital was told by Fordwich that recent reports about William’s desire to exclude Harry from his coronation were unsurprising. She highlighted the difficulty any royal family member would face in trusting Harry again after his public disclosures.

Fordwich also remarked that Harry and Meghan’s activities, including rumored royal tours to Nigeria and Colombia, signal they’re not expecting a reconciliation with the Windsor family soon.

Adding to the complexity, both William’s wife and father’s health battles mean that he carries a significant emotional burden while maintaining a public role. Andersen believes these circumstances contribute to William’s hardened stance against his brother.

The brothers’ interactions have been limited and formal since Harry’s exit. During significant family events such as Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, the brothers managed brief periods of interaction, albeit strained.

Harry made a brief visit to London in February after learning about his father’s cancer diagnosis but did not see William during the trip. Harry has said he hopes his father’s illness might bring the family closer together.

Despite some brief rapprochements at familial events, no substantial progress has been made in mending their relationship. When Harry attended King Charles’s coronation, he was seated two rows behind his brother and did not interact with him.

Harry, who resides in California with Meghan and their children, continues to lead a life largely separate from the royal family. His departure and public revelations have significantly altered his role and relationship within the royal framework.

The situation between the brothers remains largely unchanged, with both sides appearing to have accepted the current distance. The prospect of them finding common ground or reuniting in the near future seems slim.

Source: Fox News, UK Sunday Times