Prince Harry wants to make amends with his brother and sister-in-law. Will his visit to the UK next month initiate a royal reconciliation, asks
Emily Andrews
When his father was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, an emotional Duke of Sussex jumped straight on a plane to see the King. And when the Princess of Wales announced last month that she too was undergoing cancer treatment, Harry privately contacted both her and his brother, Prince William, in what was widely seen as a welcome thawing of fraternal relations. Such devastating health scares can often change priorities and shift perspectives. After everything that’s been said and done, could this possibly bring the two warring brothers back together?
Next month, Harry is due in London for a service on 8 May at St Paul’s Cathedral, marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. The duke, 39, is due to speak and according to sources the Duchess of Sussex, 42, is also ‘listed as a guest’ for the event, with insiders telling one news outlet: ‘Both Harry and Meghan are listed as guests and a speech has been scheduled, but there is still a question mark over whether Meghan will make an appearance. Her name has been pencilled in as a TBC [to be confirmed].’
However, in the UK the issue of the Sussexes’ security has become all-consuming to Harry. He recently lost a legal battle with the Home Office over the withdrawal of his state-funded police protection. He plans to appeal (at further cost to the taxpayer), but sources say that unless he can overturn the ruling, he doesn’t feel it’s safe to bring his wife or their children, Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, to the UK.
Restore relations
So it’s likely that Harry will come alone. It could prove an opportune moment to meet up in private and build bridges with his brother, from whom he’s been estranged for many months.
However, such a development would require will on both sides. Sources close to Kate and William suggest that, with everything else the family is coping with, the ‘Harry problem’ is the very last thing on their minds.
The princess started chemotherapy in February and the prince has made it clear that his ‘absolute priority’ is his wife and three children.
Louis turns six this week and Charlotte will be nine next month.
Both will still have birthday parties and celebrations, but they’ll be muted while their mother is undergoing her gruelling treatment.
Insiders tell me that the Waleses
