Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has reportedly extended an "olive branch" to his brother, Prince William, and sister-in-law, Princess Kate, during his brief visit to the UK this week. This development comes amid Harry's ongoing High Court battle concerning police protection following his departure from royal duties.
Harry arrived in London on Sunday, April 6, for a two-day court hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice related to his claim against the Home Office over the withdrawal of taxpayer-funded security. Having stayed at the luxurious Coworth Park hotel, situated approximately a 20-minute drive from the home of the Prince and Princess of Wales, insiders suggest that his choice of accommodation was a deliberate attempt to signal a willingness to mend familial ties. A source informed The Express, “His accommodation decision, which was relayed to Wills and Kate through security services, was seen as a potential olive branch to make peace after so many years estranged.” They added, “Harry really is keen to try to salvage some kind of relationship or even reopen dialogue,” highlighting the lack of significant communication between the brothers since their last encounter during the mourning period for Queen Elizabeth II.
While Harry did not meet with William and Kate during his visit, the situation has been further complicated by Harry's allegations regarding his security. He has claimed that his police protection was downgraded as part of a plan to trap him within the Royal Family. This assertion was met with criticism from Dai Davies, a former head of Scotland Yard's Royal Protection, who dismissed Harry's claims as "complete nonsense". Davies emphasised that Harry's security arrangements are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and contradicted the notion of necessary constant armed protection for Harry, describing the idea as "ridiculous".
Amid the ongoing family tensions, Harry's attempts to reconnect with William through calls and messages have reportedly gone unanswered, according to PEOPLE magazine. The absence of direct communication stands in stark contrast to the past, where the brothers engaged in shared public appearances, such as during their grandmother's funeral and the unveiling of a statue of their mother, Diana.
Following his court hearing, Harry continued his journey with a surprise visit to Ukraine, where he met with victims of the ongoing conflict, illustrating a stark shift in focus from familial disputes to international humanitarian efforts.
While Prince William attended a football match in Paris with his son Prince George during Harry's UK stay, it is clear that the rift between the brothers remains deep-rooted. Their last interaction has been characterised as brief and strained, reflecting a prolonged period of estrangement since Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
As Harry navigates the complexities of his legal battle and personal relationships, the dynamics within the Royal Family continue to capture public attention, highlighting ongoing tensions and the challenges of reconciling royal duties with personal aspirations.
Source: Noah Wire Services