The fallout between princes William and Harry will never heal while "Harry is so under the thumb of Meghan", a royal biographer claims.
Hugo Vickers, who has penned a number of books about the royals, said that Harry had “thrown in his lot with his wife” and noted that “slagging off his family” was unhelpful.
Harry is currently in the UK for the unveiling of a Princess Diana statue at Kensington Palace on Thursday, but Mr Vickers says tensions between the two siblings could overshadow the event, Express.co.uk reports.
TV cameras will be there, but there are no scheduled programmes about the unveiling.
Mr Vickers said: “The story will not be the actual unveiling of the statue but of the two boys together, that’s what everyone will be focusing on.”
He also claimed that any attempt at the brothers trying to make up in London could see Harry "having to answer for it when he returns to his wife in Los Angeles".
On the chances of making peace, the writer said: “I don’t know what they can do under the present circumstances. Harry has got to wake up to what’s going on.
"It’s a very unpleasant situation and I don’t think it’s going to be the right moment this week.
“Harry is so under the thumb of Meghan it is not really possible until he emerges from that.”
Mr Vickers added that the estranged brothers could communicate by videolink or phone, but claimed neither Harry nor Meghan wanted to.
“He has thrown in his lot with his wife.," he said.
"That’s it, isn’t it? Slagging off his family didn’t help anybody. It’s a dreadful situation.”
Mr Vickers said he believes Prince Charles will not intervene, adding: “You’ve got to remember that Harry has to return to his wife in Los Angeles.
“If he starts reconciling, he will get his head bitten off, won’t he?”
Royal author and commentator Richard Fitzwilliams agreed that a cooling-off between the princes “doesn’t look hopeful”.
He said: “I think they will appear publicly mutually supportive.
“But with Harry’s recent interviews and with so many rumours circulating, things need to become a lot calmer.”
The claims come as Robert Lacey, author of new book Battle of Brothers, which details the princes' rift, believes tensions are "not likely to end any time soon" even though they were seen having a chat after their grandfather Prince Philip's funeral in April.
Mr Lacey also claimed Meghan’s self-promotion and self-pity left William infuriated.
He said: "According to one of my sources, it's been pointed to him that everyone has a difficult sister-in-law.
"William's response was to nod his head in sage acceptance. Then suddenly he broke out angrily: ''But look at the way that bloody woman treated my staff - merciless!'"
In his book, Mr Lacey also claims that William was "furious" after finding out about a "Dossier of Distress" that was allegedly submitted in October 2018 by communication Jason Knauf.
He adds staff felt "humiliated" and that William was "appalled" at the bullying allegations.
However, Meghan Markle has rejected the allegations and said she actually wants to support those who have had traumatic experiences and build "compassion around the world".
