Prince William has indicated he does not wish for his estranged brother, Prince Harry, to attend his future coronation, according to reports by the Sunday Times. The article, released to mark Harry’s 40th birthday, suggests that William is keen to make his coronation distinct, potentially by excluding Harry from the ceremony.
Friends of the Duke of Cambridge, 42, have disclosed that William prefers Harry, 39, to be excluded from the ceremony.“They are estranged, which is dreadfully sad,” said one of the brothers’ closest friends. The two have not spoken in nearly two years, deepening the divide within the family.
The rift deepened after Harry, who relocated to California in 2020, publicly criticized the royal family. His and Meghan Markle’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, their “Harry & Meghan” Netflix docuseries, and his memoir, “Spare,” have all contributed to the ongoing tensions.
A source close to King Charles III expressed concern over how reconciling with Harry could impact the family’s image, fearing further revelations in Harry’s future works. “The King’s capacity to forgive his son is undimmed,” the source stated, “but there are other family members who remain heavily opposed to Harry.”
Friends of Harry have criticized his actions, with one calling his decisions “outrageously disloyal.” A former aide suggested Harry may struggle with a sense of purpose since leaving his royal duties and family behind.
In a recent ITV interview, Harry discussed his family’s reluctance to confront media scrutiny as a significant factor in their fallout. He also addressed past tensions during the Oprah interview and his memoir, where he criticized Queen Consort Camilla and depicted his relationship with William as fraught with conflict.