Princess Kate Was "Influential" in "Softening" Prince William's Approach to Old "Grudges"
"Perhaps she has persuaded William that life is too short."
Prince William and Princess Kate shared a social media post celebrating Prince Harry's 40th birthday on Sunday, September 15. Rumors of a Royal Family feud were seemingly quashed by the short but sweet birthday message. And according one royal expert, Kate Middleton may have been responsible for helping to mend broken familial relationships.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond wrote for the Mirror, "My gut feeling is that Catherine was influential in this slight softening of her husband‘s implacable stand." Bond continued, "In the film she made about the end of her chemotherapy, she told how cancer had given her a new perspective."
According to Bond, Princess Kate's so-called "new perspective" may have influenced Prince William's approach to the disagreements in his life. "What clearly matters to her more now is family, loving and being loved," Bond explained. "Perhaps she has persuaded William that life is too short for grudges."
Bond suggested that King Charles and Queen Camilla's decision to post a 40th birthday tribute to Prince Harry was a potential sign of reconciliation. "Birthday wishes posted on the main Royal Family website are also a sign of a possible thaw in relations between Harry and his father," the esteemed correspondent wrote.
However, royal fans should apparently temper their expectations, as it could be quite some time before any significant Royal Family reunion happens. "But this is only a tentative first step in a complex and sensitive situation," Bond wrote for the Mirror. "I still think the brothers’ relationship is almost irretrievable."
The Prince and Princess of Wales have had a difficult year. In March, Princess Kate announced she'd been diagnosed with cancer and would undergo preventative chemotherapy treatment. Earlier this month, Kate and William released a candid video to reveal that the Princess of Wales had completed treatment and would, at some point in the near future, be returning to her official royal duties.
"William has so much on his plate that I don’t think he has time to deal with Harry," Bond claimed. "But first steps matter. And though the brothers may never be close again, it doesn’t mean the future has to be full of bad blood."
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Praising the Princess of Wales for allegedly instigating an olive branch, Bond wrote, "Catherine is right. Family should always be paramount."
Amy Mackelden is a contributing editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.
-
The Most Over-the-Top Celebrity Weddings of All Time
From million dollar engagement rings to exclusive, lavish venues, these celeb weddings will make your jaw drop.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
Kacey Musgraves Pushes the Horse Girl Agenda With Reformation
The singer designed an affordable, equestrian-themed capsule.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Prince Harry Is Set to Return to the U.K. in Under 2 Weeks
We can likely expect a short trip.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry Is Set to Return to the U.K. in Under 2 Weeks
We can likely expect a short trip.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Princess Kate's Cancer Update Video Contains Powerful "Symbolism," According to a PR Expert
I never thought of it that way.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Kate Middleton Is Already Back to Royal Duties After Holding First Meeting Since Chemotherapy
The Princess of Wales attended a Royal Foundation meeting on Sept. 17.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Sophie Turner Just Went Instagram Official With Peregrine Pearson After Joe Jonas Divorce
The actress shared some sweet snaps of her new boyfriend days after finalizing her divorce.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
All About Kate Middleton and Prince William’s Rarely-Seen Cocker Spaniel, Orla
The pup made a surprise appearance in the princess's cancer update video.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Meghan Markle Wasn't Cropped Out of Prince Harry's 40th Birthday Post by the Royal Family
Royal sources refuted allegations of a Buckingham Palace snub.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William and Prince Harry "Unified" After the Death of Their Mother Princess Diana
"Please, please remember, don’t ever forget that you’re brothers."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William Secretly Helped a London Food Bank Get Back on Its Feet
The food pantry was robbed on Sept. 8.
By Kristin Contino Published