Prince William and Princess Kate Apparently Made a Joint Decision Regarding Prince Harry As They Are “Very Consciously Focusing on Positivity and Recovery”
Though Kate’s health is improving, in her own words, she’s “not out of the woods.”
![Prince William puts a hand on the small of Kate Middleton's back at a gala](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LWkqcp4aLkUjCZt4GpdL7e-415-80.jpg)
There was once a time, believe it or not, when Prince William, Prince Harry, and Kate Middleton were inseparable. Then the brothers had a falling out—for first-hand details, Harry’s bombshell memoir, Spare, really goes there—and the chasm between the two sons of King Charles and Princess Diana continues to widen, both geographically and emotionally.
Seeing these three together used to be commonplace.
This year has been a difficult one for William and Kate, as Kate battles cancer; Charles, too, was diagnosed earlier this year and continues to receive treatment. As Kate is on the mend—evidenced by yet another stunning appearance, this time at Wimbledon, on Sunday—William and Kate have reportedly made a “conscious” agreement about Harry, according to The Mirror.
The outlet reports that William and Kate decided not to see Harry during the latter’s recent trip to the U.K. back in May, a trip to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Invictus Games. “William and Kate are very consciously focusing on positivity and recovery,” a source told the outlet, and, as such, decided not to see Harry when he visited two months ago. Charles also didn’t get the chance to see his younger son when he was in the U.K., though Harry did fly to London to see his father nearly immediately after learning about his cancer diagnosis in February.
William has reportedly fully cut Harry off and is "fiercely protective" over Kate as she continues to focus on her health.
William and Kate’s decision in May came after William “made the difficult decision to cut ties completely with his younger sibling,” The Mirror reports.
“William is sensitive,” royal biographer Ingrid Seward said. “He likes structure and has perseverance. He does not give up easily. His relationship with [his] brother Harry upset him more than he would care to admit. But he found it easier to cut ties rather than allow himself to be continually annoyed.”
According to The Sun, William is “fiercely protective” over Kate, especially as she continues to receive treatment for cancer. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said the Prince of Wales is “stubborn” when it comes to his family and caring for his wife, and “William has never been more protective of his wife and children as now,” she said.
The two apparently mutually decided it'd be best to not see Harry when he was in the U.K. back in May.
As for any hope of a reconciliation between William and Harry (and, vis a vis, Kate), former royal butler Paul Burrell—who worked for the royal family for 21 years, perhaps most closely with William and Harry’s mother, Diana—said, referring to William and Kate’s home in Windsor, “The door of Adelaide Cottage is shut,” he said. “William knows that Harry can’t be trusted, and he doesn’t want any more upset in his family.”
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.
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.
-
Even When Lainey Wilson Exercises, She's Listening to Country Slow Jams
The singer opens up about her listening habits plus reveals plans to collab with Miley Cyrus.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
Jennifer Lopez Once Made Heart-Breaking Comments About Why She Thought She and Ben Affleck Would Never Split Again
I can't handle this.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Astrologer Explains How the Planets Affected Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's Divorce
They had different priorities.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Will Prince Harry Be Removed from the Royal Family's Line of Succession?
"Like Edward VIII, Prince Harry does not wish to perform the role of royalty expected of him."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Future "Looks Rather Bleak" and Very "Expensive," Royal Historian Claims
"They’re going to disappear like so many other celebrities."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Play "Fast and Loose With the Truth," Royal Expert Claims
"Just do things that are real rather than staged with loads of outfit changes."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Kate "Can't Simply Forget" Her Friendship with Prince Harry
"Kate has never been someone that could just turn off her feelings with a switch."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince George May Be Introduced to "Gruesome" Hunting Tradition in Balmoral
"Traditionally, the blood of a hunter's first kill is spread on their face."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
King Charles Shares Rare Health Update During Southport Visit
The monarch made the brief revelation to a member of the public.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Charlotte Just Went on a London Shopping Trip with Duchess Sophie and Lady Louise
"There is a really warm connection between Sophie and her great-niece."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry May Never "Regain the Trust" with Prince William and Princess Kate
"The King’s capacity to forgive his son is undimmed."
By Amy Mackelden Published