Following the recent cancer diagnosis of the Princess of Wales, it's become evident that the rift between Prince William and Prince Harry existed long before Meghan Markle entered the royal fold.
The strained relationship between the two brothers was apparent even before Prince Harry's 2020 decision to step back from royal duties. Despite Harry and Meghan Markle relocating to the United States after relinquishing their royal roles four years ago, the underlying tensions between the siblings remained unresolved.
The couple's subsequent interviews and public remarks about their royal experiences, which were met with controversy, seemed to further deepen the family divisions and drew criticism from senior royals, including Prince Charles.
Royal biographer Robert Lacey sheds light on the longstanding discord in his acclaimed book, "Battle of Brothers." Lacey reveals that events such as the 2005 "Colonials and Natives" costume incident played a significant role in exacerbating the rift between the brothers.
Lacey wrote: "Meghan wasn't the primary reason for Prince Harry's decision to distance himself from the royal family. Events like the 'Colonials and Natives' costume controversy in January 2005 prompted Harry to reassess his brother's actions and question the perceived favoritism towards William. This incident deepened the existing divide between the brothers, echoing their fallout after the 'Drugs Shame' incident in 2002."
In light of the Princess of Wales' cancer announcement, there were hopes that this challenging period might serve as an opportunity for the brothers to reconnect, even if briefly.
Royal expert Tom Quinn shared insights with the Mirror, stating: "Considering Kate's health situation, Harry is likely to attempt a meeting with his brother and Kate during his UK visit in May. However, any interaction is anticipated to be brief, carefully orchestrated, and planned to sidestep potential conflicts."
