Prince William and Prince Harry were seen at the same event for a specific reason that involved a family matter. The reunion comes after over a year of estrangement and rifts in their tense relationship.
Reports have revealed that the Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales were together in the UK yesterday, August 29, to pay respects to a deceased family member. While most netizens are happy to learn that the brothers reunited, some think Prince William should be wary of trusting his younger brother again.
Fan comment about Prince William and Prince Harry, posted on August 29, 2024 | Source: Facebook/Daily Mail
According to a news outlet, Prince Harry made a covert return to the UK to attend the funeral of his late mother’s brother-in-law. Joining him at the memorial service was his older brother, Prince William, who also made a discreet attendance.
Prince Harry at the Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service in London, England on May 8, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
While the two princes were both there to bid farewell to their late uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, who passed away at 82 in July, a local source confirmed that they did not see the brothers exchange words.
“William and Harry were both there but we never saw them speak to each other and they were keeping their distance,” disclosed the source.
Prince William and Prince Harry at the Committal Service for the late Queen Elizabeth II in Windsor, England on September 19, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Prince William and Prince Harry were said to have been seated away from each other toward the back of St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk.
Interestingly, while a source, deemed a close family friend, confirmed that both princes were in attendance, another source stated that they didn’t see Prince Harry or Prince William until the end of the service.
Prince William and Prince Harry with Prince George, Princess Catherine, Princess Charlotte and Meghan Markle at the Committal Service for the late Queen Elizabeth II in Windsor, England on September 19, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
“I didn’t know they were there. They arrived very discreetly,” divulged the source. Nonetheless, when the public heard about the princes being in the same room together, they flooded social media with comments.
Prince William and Prince Harry at the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in Windsor, England on April 17, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
Some were delighted to hear the news, given the fact that the last time the brothers were reported to be in the same room was at their father’s coronation, which took place over a year ago. “So happy for them 🙏🏼🙏🏼,” swooned a fan.“Good for you Harry,” praised an admirer.
Prince William and Prince Harry at the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London, England on September 19, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Similarly, another echoed, “If that is true, [I’m] so glad [and] happy for the brothers blood is thicker than [water] [bless] them both.”
Echoing a similar sentiment, someone else penned, “I hope this funeral helps them realize how important family is and how quickly the time can come when reuniting just becomes a regret of what could have been… 😢😔.”
Prince William and Prince Harry with Peter Phillips at the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in Windsor, England on April 17, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
Bringing Prince William’s wife, Princess Catherine, and the late Princess Diana into the mix, a Facebooker asserted, “It’s time William and Kate just tried a little harder to be nicer to Harry. They were always so close and I know Diana would want them to remain close forever. X.”
Princess Diana, Prince Harry and Prince William at The Thorpe Amusement Park in 1993. | Source: Getty Images
Other comments include, “Private plane then,” and a social media user wondering, “How come he was allowed to go????”
Amid the praise and urges for the brothers to make amends, some netizens feel that Prince Harry cannot be trusted. “Watch your back [Prince] William,” warned someone on Facebook while another noted, “William is smarter than that. Harry cannot be trusted.”
Prince William and Prince Harry on their way to greet well wishers in Windsor, England on September 10, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
By now, it’s no secret that Prince William and Prince Harry have not seen eye to eye for some time. Several outlets have reported stories discussing how fraught their relationship is with drama, tension, and wounds from the past and present.
Prince William and Prince Harry walking behind the late Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin in London, England on September 14, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Adding further insult to injury is the fact that not only does Prince Harry have problems with his brother, but he also has qualms with other senior members of the royal family, particularly where his father is concerned.
In July, a media outlet reported that King Charles III does not answer calls nor respond to letters from his estranged youngest son.
King Charles III and Prince Harry at the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London, England on September 19, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Similarly, when it comes to the attempts Prince Harry has made to patch things up with Prince William, those efforts, too, are made in vain. Apart from King Charles III’s coronation where Prince Harry, reportedly, sat two rows behind his brother and family, the last time the brothers were seen putting up a united front was back in September 2022.
Prince William (front row) and Prince Harry (rows behind) with other members of the royal family at King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s Coronation in London, England on May 6, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
At this time, they were joined by their wives to meet mourners standing outside Windsor Castle after Queen Elizabeth II passed away.
Reports trace the start of the brothers’ rift back to 2016, when Prince William addressed concerns he had about how fast his younger brother’s relationship with Meghan Markle was moving.
Princess Catherine, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their way to greet well wishers in Windsor, England on September 10, 2022 | Source: Getty Images