There is still unfinished business betweenPrince HarryandPrince William.
The royal brothers’ rift dates back to 2017, when Williamcautioned his younger siblingabout moving too fast withMeghan Markle, which in turn left Harry angry and hurt. Now that Meghan and Prince Harry have started their new lives —relocating to Canadawith nearly 9-month-old sonArchieamid their decision tostep down as senior members of the royal family— there’s hope that Princess Diana’s sons will start to heal their relationship.
In recent weeks, however, the brothers have been talking more, says a palace source, leading some to hope that they can gradually repair their fractured relationship.
“Perhaps [Meghan and Harry] didn’t think things through exactly as they could have, but they wanted to be happy,” adds the family friend. “Who can blame them for that?”
Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Owen Humphreys/AFP via Getty
Prince William was faced with the royal family drama for the first time in public at Sunday’s BAFTAs, whenMargot Robbiedelivered a speech on behalf of best supporting actor winnerBrad Pitt.
The actor joked he would be calling his award “Harry” because he was “really excited about bringing it back to the States with him” — and Robbie quickly reminded, “His words, not mine!”
The camera then showedPrince WilliamandKate Middletonin the audience, who both had a good-natured laugh.
Prince William, along with his fatherPrince Charlesand grandmotherQueen Elizabeth, were involved in the discussions surroundingPrince Harryand Meghan’s exit,gathering at the monarch’s Sandringham estatelast month for a meeting to “talk things through.”
“Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family,” the Queen, 93, said in a rare and emotional statement following the summit. “My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.”
Queen Elizabethannounced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would be splitting their time between the U.K. and North America and work to become financially independent. But their new life hasn’t come without a price.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE‘s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!
The couple will no longer use their HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) titles, andPrince Harryhad to forgo his role as youth ambassador to the Commonwealth and relinquish his honorary military appointments.
Despite the sacrifices, the couple ultimately negotiated “almost everything they asked for,” says the palace insider, with the ability to live and work where they want at the top of the list. As for the loss of their HRH titles, “Harry doesn’t care about the titles,” says a source in their circle. “It doesn’t interest him; it never has.”
source: people.com
