According to a recent article in the Sunday Times, Prince William does not want his brother, Prince Harry, to attend his future coronation.
The New York Post reports that this information comes as Harry approaches his 40th birthday in September. The Duke of Cambridge, now 42, has allegedly expressed his desire for his eventual crowning ceremony to "look and feel different" from traditional royal events.
One significant change could be the absence of his younger brother, Prince Harry, who is currently 39 years old. This potential exclusion highlights the ongoing tension between the two brothers and the royal family at large.
The relationship between Prince William and Prince Harry has been strained for some time. According to friends close to the brothers, they have not spoken to each other in nearly two years. This lack of communication underscores the depth of their estrangement and the challenges facing any potential reconciliation.
The rift between the brothers has been exacerbated by Prince Harry's actions since stepping down as a working royal in 2020. His move to California with his wife, Meghan Markle, was followed by a series of public revelations about the royal family. These included a high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, a Netflix docuseries, and Harry's tell-all memoir, "Spare."
One of William's friends commented on the situation: "They are estranged, which is dreadfully sad."
The royal family's hesitation to engage with Prince Harry stems from concerns about privacy and trust. King Charles III, who ascended to the throne in 2022 following Queen Elizabeth II's passing, reportedly worries about the potential for private conversations to be made public.
A friend of King Charles explained the dilemma:
The problem for the King and other members of the family is the worry that if they have a chat with Harry, it will appear in 'Spare' volume two. How do you regain the trust? I don't think Harry ever can.
However, the same friend noted that King Charles's capacity to forgive his son remains intact, suggesting that their relationship may not be entirely irreparable. The situation is complicated by varying attitudes towards Harry within the royal family, with some members being more resistant to reconciliation than others.
Since leaving his role as a working royal, questions have arisen about Prince Harry's purpose and direction in life. A former aide to Harry shared insights into this aspect of the prince's situation:
He loved the army and was very good at his job. The work with Invictus is great, and fatherhood was the role he wanted the most, so perhaps that was enough for him. But everything else is a bit woolly. I always thought he wanted more from life. I can't help but think he must be wondering, 'Where do I go from here?'
This observation points to the challenges Harry faces in finding meaningful roles and pursuits outside of the traditional royal framework. While his work with the Invictus Games and his role as a father are acknowledged as positive aspects of his life, there are suggestions that he may be searching for additional purpose.
The potential exclusion of Prince Harry from Prince William's future coronation reflects the deep-seated issues within the royal family. The brothers' estrangement, which has lasted for nearly two years, continues to be a source of concern. Trust issues stemming from Harry's public revelations about the royal family have complicated attempts at reconciliation. While King Charles III reportedly maintains a willingness to forgive, other family members appear more hesitant. As Harry approaches his 40th birthday, questions about his post-royal life and purpose remain prominent in discussions about his relationship with the royal family.
