Prince William is reportedly concealing deeper upset than he openly acknowledges regarding his rift with younger brother Prince Harry.
According to a royal expert, their once-close relationship has deteriorated to the point where reconciliation seems increasingly unlikely.
William is said to be particularly angered by Harry's criticisms of the royal family in the infamous Oprah interview, his Netflix productions, and his memoir, leading him to choose to distance himself in order to prioritize his family and royal responsibilities.
Following the Prince of Wales marking his 42nd birthday last week, royal expert Ingrid Seward told the Mirror: "It has been one of the most difficult couple of years of Prince William’s life…
"William is sensitive, he likes structure and has perseverance. He does not give up easily. His relationship with 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. His life with Kate gives him the security, love and friendship he needs."
It echoes comments made by renowned former Royal correspondent Charles Rae, who recently said on The Sun's Royal Exclusive show: "Well, I think it is down to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to make the first move. Whether or not it would be accepted by William and Catherine, I doubt very much it would be.
"There's too much water which has gone under that bridge. After everything Harry and Meghan have done with the Oprah Winfrey interview, that Netflix show. Spare. The flamboyant curtsey by Meghan on the show as well.
"There's too much gone under the bridge now. If they're going to make the move, I am not so sure William and Catherine would respond favourably." The Prince is thought to have been especially upset about Harry and Meghan talking about his wife, Princess Kate.
During their Oprah Winfrey interview, Meghan claimed that Kate had made her cry days before she married Harry in 2018. She also told Winfrey that despite photographs showing the two sisters-in-law getting along, she felt that in her experience, royal life is "nothing like what it looks like".
In Spare, Harry detailed numerous clashes between himself and his older brother, including an explosive scene in 2019 in which he claimed William grabbed him by the collar and threw him to the floor during an argument about Meghan.
The Duke also recounted another altercation between his wife and Kate in which Kate accused Meghan of hurting her feelings when she made a comment about her having "baby brain" following the birth of Prince Louis.
