The royal family has been under intense scrutiny for years, with the rift between Prince Harry and Prince William at the forefront of public fascination. In April 2025, a new chapter unfolded as reports surfaced of Harry extending an “olive branch” to his estranged brother during a brief UK visit. Staying just 20 minutes from William’s home, Harry’s choice of location was seen by some as a deliberate gesture toward reconciliation. This article explores the context of their feud, the significance of Harry’s actions, fan reactions, and whether this moment could signal a thaw in their frosty relationship, drawing from recent coverage and social media sentiment.
Prince Harry offered Prince William an ‘olive branch’ on his recent visit to the UK(Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)
The Backstory of the Royal Rift
The tension between Harry, 40, and William, 42, became public when Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Their subsequent Oprah Winfrey interview, Netflix docuseries, and Harry’s memoir Spare (released January 2023) deepened the divide. Harry accused the royal family of ignoring Meghan’s mental health struggles and claimed an unnamed member questioned their son Archie’s skin color. In Spare, he detailed a physical altercation with William, who allegedly called Meghan “difficult” and “rude,” and described William’s “screaming” during a summit about their exit. These revelations, coupled with Harry’s portrayal of Kate Middleton as cold, left William and King Charles feeling betrayed, with sources saying “several lines were crossed.”
William, now Prince of Wales, has focused on his duties and Kate’s recovery from cancer, diagnosed in 2024. Reports suggest he has “zero interest” in reconciling, viewing Harry’s public disclosures as unforgivable. King Charles, also battling cancer, reportedly desires some contact but is cautious, wary of Harry’s potential to share private talks, as noted in a 2024 Sunday Times report: “The problem is the worry that a chat with Harry will appear in Spare volume two.” Despite this, Harry has expressed a wish to mend ties, telling Good Morning America in 2024, “I love my family. I’d love to see more of them.”
Prince Harry flew to the UK this week for a two-day hearing at the High Court(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Harry’s Olive Branch: A Sentimental Stay
During a four-day UK visit in April 2025 for a High Court hearing over his security arrangements, Harry stayed at Coworth Park hotel in Ascot, Berkshire, less than 20 minutes from William and Kate’s Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. This choice was significant—Coworth Park was where William stayed with Harry the night before Harry’s 2018 wedding to Meghan, a memory of happier times. According to The Mirror, a source close to Harry said this was “relayed to Wills and Kate through security services” and interpreted as “a potential olive branch to make peace after so many years estranged.” The insider added, “Harry really is keen to salvage some kind of relationship. … He wants to somehow make peace and return to talking terms.”
The gesture was subtle but deliberate. By choosing a location tied to their shared past and so close to William’s home, Harry signaled openness to dialogue without forcing a meeting. The visit coincided with a tense period—Harry’s legal battle with the Home Office over reduced security has strained his relationship with Charles, who cannot intervene without risking legal complications. Yet, Harry’s decision to stay near William suggested a focus on personal rather than institutional reconciliation.
Why It Didn’t Lead to a Meeting
Despite the hopeful gesture, no meeting occurred. Harry did not see William or Charles during his trip, instead catching up with old Army and school friends. The source explained, “The problem is that so much has been said by him and his wife on TV and with Netflix for millions of dollars. … William and Charles didn’t share the same outlook. Their view remains that a line was crossed.” William’s stance aligns with reports from GB News in November 2024, quoting royal expert Jennie Bond: “William has shown absolutely zero interest in rekindling a relationship with his brother.”
The brothers’ last public appearance together was a fleeting moment at their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes’ funeral in 2024, where they sat apart and didn’t interact. A rare joint walkabout after Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022, initiated by William’s last-minute text, was a temporary ceasefire, not a resolution. Since then, communication has been minimal, with William omitting Harry’s name in public since 2018, except for a brief mention in a 2024 ITV documentary about homelessness, which royal expert Hugo Vickers called incidental, not an olive branch.
An insider said Harry chose to stay a short drive away from William and Kate this week(Image: Getty Images)
Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz
The news of Harry’s gesture sparked polarized reactions online. On X, some fans saw it as a heartfelt move, with one user writing, “Harry’s trying so hard to fix things with William. Choosing Coworth Park feels personal. Hope they can talk soon.” Others were skeptical, echoing sentiments like, “Too little, too late. Harry burned bridges with Spare. William’s right to keep his distance.” A third perspective criticized both sides: “William and Harry need to grow up. Family feuds shouldn’t play out like a soap opera.” These reactions reflect the public’s investment in the saga, with The Express noting Harry’s friends feel he’s “cleansing his soul” but faces a family unwilling to forgive.
Context and Broader Implications
Harry’s gesture comes amid personal and royal challenges. Kate’s cancer recovery and Charles’s health issues have slimmed down the monarchy, prompting some, like commentator Tina Brown on The Ankler podcast, to suggest Harry’s charisma could ease William’s burden. Yet, Brown noted Harry’s tendency to “upstage” William, a dynamic reminiscent of Diana and Charles, complicates this. Harry’s legal fight, costing over £1 million per The Sun, underscores his outsider status, with no taxpayer-funded security despite his royal ties.
The royal family’s history of rifts isn’t new—think Edward VIII’s abdication or Diana’s estrangement—but the public nature of Harry and William’s feud, amplified by media and Harry’s own disclosures, is unprecedented. A 2024 YouGov poll showed 60% of Britons view Harry unfavorably, compared to 80% approval for William, suggesting public sympathy lies with the heir. Still, Harry’s supporters argue he’s been unfairly vilified for speaking out about institutional issues, citing Meghan’s claims of racism as a valid grievance.
Could Reconciliation Happen?
For reconciliation, both sides would need to compromise. Harry would have to “eat humble pie,” as royal commentator Rupert Bell told Express in 2024, acknowledging the damage of his public criticisms. William, meanwhile, would need to soften his stance, which seems unlikely given his focus on Kate and their children—George, Charlotte, and Louis. Princess Beatrice, close to both, has been floated as a mediator by Charles’s former butler Grant Harrold, who told InStyle, “She’s trustworthy and could initiate peace.” Beatrice’s recent gesture—possibly sharing a photo of her newborn Athena with Harry—shows some royals remain neutral.
The monarchy’s future adds urgency. With Charles and Kate’s health uncertain, William faces growing responsibilities. Harry’s return, even part-time, could bolster the “slimmed-down” Firm, but trust remains the barrier. As The Daily Beast reported, Harry is “tired” of the rift and wants to repair his reputation, while Meghan appears “unbothered,” focusing on their Montecito life with Archie and Lilibet. This divergence could limit Harry’s efforts if William perceives Meghan as a continued risk.
Looking Forward
Harry’s olive branch, while poignant, hasn’t yet bridged the gap. The Coworth Park stay was a nod to their shared past, but William’s silence suggests wounds are still raw. Fans hope for a breakthrough—perhaps at a future royal event, like Charles’s birthday or a charity function—but insiders doubt it. “The rift is huge,” royal author Richard Fitzwilliams told GB News, predicting no invites for Harry and Meghan to royal festivities like Christmas at Sandringham.
As Coronation Street characters navigate their own betrayals this week, the royal drama mirrors soap-opera stakes, but with real-world consequences. Harry’s gesture shows intent, yet reconciliation requires mutual effort. For now, the brothers remain worlds apart, their story a mix of hope, hurt, and unresolved tension that keeps the world watching.
