Prince William and Prince Harry's "deep rift" could be put to the test and prevent a reconciliation at a close family member's funeral, according to royal experts.
Speculation in Britain is growing that the princes could come face to face at their first joint appearance since the coronation of King Charles III at the funeral or memorial service of their maternal uncle by marriage, Lord Robert Fellowes, who died at the age of 82 on July 29.
Fellowes was married to Princess Diana's older sister, Lady Jane Spencer, in 1978 and from 1990 to 1999 he served as private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II. In this capacity, he was given the use of Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace as a London residence for his family, which was located just yards from the front door of Diana's apartment where she lived with William and Harry.
Speaking on a new episode of True Royalty TV's The Royal Beat, royal biographer Ingrid Seward and former royal correspondent Richard Palmer discussed the growing speculation that Fellowes' death could kindle a reunion between his royal nephews.
"Inevitably there's speculation. I was speaking to a former senior royal aide last night, who speculated that this might be an opportunity for some sort of fixing of the relationship between William and Harry if they both go to the funeral," Palmer said.
"I can't see it myself. I can see them going to the funeral but I just think that the rift between them is so deep at the moment."
"I don't think that would happen," Seward responded. "I mean they're not going to start arguing at a funeral. I don't think that's also the moment to have a makeup. Obviously, you're going to be nice to your brother, you're not going to be rude but the last thing you want to do is be pushed together with him too much."
The relationship between William and Harry has become the subject of increased public fascination since the latter split from the monarchy with Meghan Markle in 2020 citing issues with the British press, royal household and royal family members.
In 2023, Harry laid bare the true extent of the breakdown in his relationship with his brother, going so far as to suggest that the pair had never been as close as the monarchy and media had led the public to believe.
In the book, Harry details an alleged physical assault from William which took place at Kensington Palace in an argument over Meghan's treatment of royal staff.
William did not respond to the claims made by Harry in line with a blanket "no comment" position adopted by Buckingham Palace in relation to the memoir.
The last event both brothers attended was the coronation in May 2023, though they were not photographed interacting with one another on the day.
Harry has said in interviews that he continues to "love" William and hopes that one day there can be a way for them to come together.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
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