Prince William made a bid to heal the rift with Prince Harry and was rejected, a new book has claimed.
The issues between the brothers have been speculated over the years, sparked by the seniors' concerns over Harry and Meghan’s fast moving relationship ahead of their royal wedding in 2018 - reported by The Mirror. The feud was first touched on during an ITV interview during the new couple’s tour of South Africa.
Harry told Tom Bradby that he and Meghan were ‘struggling’ with some of the pressures of life as working royals, revealing that the brothers were experiencing ‘good days and bad days’. The new book, Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown, says that after the interview was broadcast William extended an olive branch.
READ MORE - Prince Harry's tense trip to Balmoral filled with family clashes and awkward moments
Initially, Harry was reportedly open to the invitation though turned it down in the end as he was concerned their rendezvous would be leaked by royal staff. 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 who he would tell.
“William explained that he’d have to clear his schedule, which would mean telling his private secretary. At this 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 snub came as ‘heartbreaking’ to those close to them, and highlighted the communication issues that had arisen due to high levels of scrutiny. Just last month, the brothers came together following the death of the Queen and carried out a joint walkabout, shaking hands and chatting to wellwishers.
However, royal insiders suggest that the friendship will only stay in place until after Harry publishes his upcoming memoir. One 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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