Prince Harry Would “Love to Reconnect” with Princess Kate—But Royal Biographer Says Prince William Won’t Have It
“Harry was hit hard by the news of her cancer diagnosis,” according to Christopher Andersen.
For Prince Harry, the Princess of Wales was less of a sister-in-law and more, according to multiple accounts, of the sister he never had. As the chasm widened between Harry and his older brother, Prince William—who, on the 1 percent chance you’re not aware, is the Prince of Wales and has been married to Kate since 2011—the gulf between Harry and Kate unfortunately did, as well. And, in addition to the emotional distance between the two, the geographical distance factors in, as well, after Harry moved to the U.S. in 2020 with his wife, Meghan Markle, as they stepped away from their roles as working members of the royal family.
Harry all but immediately hopped on a plane bound for the U.K. within hours of his father, King Charles, announcing his cancer diagnosis in February; after Kate did the same in a brave video message on March 22, it’s unclear how much Harry has spoken with her, and seems abundantly clear that he hasn’t seen her face-to-face, as his first visit back to the U.K. since her March announcement was last week, and Harry isn’t thought to have seen his father, brother, or sister-in-law while in London.
“Harry would love to reconnect with Kate,” royal biographer Christopher Andersen told Fox News Digital (and per The Mirror). “They were once extremely close, and Harry was hit hard by the news of her cancer diagnosis, which he learned about just the way the rest of us did, via Kate’s shocking video.”
In terms of a reconciliation attempt, Andersen added “Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear William is willing to let his brother anywhere near his ailing wife,” he said. “There was just too much drama between the brothers and their wives, and there is lingering bitterness on everyone’s part. So, the chances of even a meeting between Harry and the rest of the royal family—much less some sort of reconciliation—seem extremely slim.”
After Kate announced her diagnosis, Harry and Meghan released a statement, saying “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”
“There’s a deep rift between the brothers—that we know,” royal commenter Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun. “We also know that they haven’t apparently spoken in many months, and the reason, of course, is that for some four years, they’ve caused endless problems to the royal family, and so they can’t be trusted.”
Fitzwilliams said that William’s trust has been broken since the couple’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, and was only further exacerbated by the couple’s Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan (released in December 2022) and Harry’s memoir, Spare, which came out the following month. “The trouble is, that’s the only thing that appears to have made a lot of money for them,” Fitzwilliams said about projects pertaining to the royal family. “That raises other questions as to what they’ll be doing in the future.”
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
To Harry and Kate’s relationship, a source said, per OK, “Everyone assumes Kate doesn’t like Harry, but they have a special bond that not many people understand,” they said. “She and Harry were extremely close at one time. She’s confided in him during some of her darkest moments.”
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
Gwen Stefani Says She Didn't Know Husband Blake Shelton "Existed" Before Meeting Him on 'The Voice'
"I never listened to country music, so while Blake was super successful, I never even knew he existed before I met him."
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Prince Harry Prepares for January Trial in Illegal Information Gathering Lawsuit Against UK Tabloid
The Duke of Sussex’s lawyer, David Sherborne, confirmed the case is moving forward.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Jennifer Lawrence Extends Her Chic Maternity Vintage Streak in an Archival Black Suit
The actress is expecting her second child with husband Cooke Maroney.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Prince William Was Booed by Protestors at Ulster University in Belfast
Video footage shows the Prince of Wales being heckled during his visit to Northern Ireland.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William Helped Fans Get Out of Being Late for Class in Hilarious TikTok
"Can't argue with a royal pardon."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Recognizes an Actress Who Once Played His Grandmother With Major Honor
A TV queen meets the future King.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis Expected to Make a Major Public Appearance This December
Happy holidays!
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Royal Family's "Secret Weapon" Is Following in Prince William and Kate Middleton's Footsteps With St. Andrews Romance
Who doesn't love a royal love story?
By Kristin Contino Published
-
King Charles Might Change Some of Queen Elizabeth's Christmas Rituals as He's Less Traditional
"I don't think Charles will exactly rip up the rule book, but there's a strong chance he'll loosen some of the rules."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William Beat Out These Hollywood Stars to Be Crowned Sexiest Bald Man of 2024
We stan a bald (future) King.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Was “Solicitous and Protective” of Princess Kate During Remembrance Day Event
"It is connected to what he said about this being a 'brutal' year."
By Kristin Contino Published