A new book has claimed that Prince Harry rejected a meeting with Prince William in a bid to heal their rift with a blunt two-word response.
The two brothers have had a frosty relationship reportedly sparked by William's concerns over Harry's fast-developing relationship with Meghan Markle ahead of their royal wedding in 2018. Harry first hinted at a feud in 2019 during an interview he gave during his and Meghan's tour of South Africa - just months before they sensationally quit as working royals.
He famously told ITV's Tom Bradby back that he and Meghan were "struggling" with some of the pressures of life as working royals, with a bombshell moment revealing that their sibling bond was experiencing "good days" and "bad days", according to The Mirror.
According to a new book, after the interview was broadcast, William, the new Prince of Wales, tried to make contact with his younger brother. 'Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown says that Harry was initially said to be open to the offer - but turned him down after growing concerned that news of their rendezvous would be leaked by royal staff.
And in an extract from the book published in the Daily Mail, author Valentine Low writes: "The day after the documentary aired, William WhatsApped his brother to ask if he could come and see him.
"Initially, Harry was in favour. Then he spoke to his brother again and asked him whom he would tell. William explained that he'd have to clear his schedule, which would mean telling his private secretary. At that point, Harry told him: Don't come. He was so concerned that William's team would leak the visit to the Press that he would rather not see his brother than risk it getting into the papers."
The book adds that the failure to meet face-to-face came as "heartbreaking" news to people close to both brothers, and highlighted how some members of The Firm had come to find it difficult to communicate directly amid high levels of scrutiny. Last month, the royal brothers were reunited following the death of the Queen - and even carried out a joint walkabout, meeting wellwishers in Windsor.
However, royal insiders say this temporary truce will only remain until after Harry publishes his upcoming memoir. One royal insider said: "Any talk of a truce between the Prince and the Duke would only be temporary.
"There is still a serious amount of distrust in the air and there hasn’t been any cause for that to change. The feeling is very much that there is little point in pursuing a repair in relations until all the cards are on the table."
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