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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Laura Elston and Tony Jones

Prince Harry speaks of ‘challenging’ sibling relationships after not meeting William during UK visit

The Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales have remembered their grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, separately on the third anniversary of her death.

Harry and William were just seven miles apart as they paid their respects to the nation’s longest-reigning monarch.

But the estranged brothers did not meet on Monday while Harry carried out his first visit to the UK in five months, with their long-running rift showing no sign of abating.

Harry flew in from the US for a four-day run of charity visits, but began his solo trip with a poignant pilgrimage to his grandmother’s grave in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

The duke laid a wreath and flowers privately at the late Queen’s tomb in the King George VI Memorial Chapel on Monday morning.

Harry makes a speech at the annual WellChild Awards on Monday evening (PA)

Meanwhile, William and the Princess of Wales were a short car ride away in Sunningdale, Berkshire, as they visited the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (WI) in tribute to the late Queen’s decades-long association with the organisation.

Later in the day, Harry spoke about “challenging” relationships between siblings when he met WellChild award winners to celebrate their achievements.

Harry joked and laughed with youngsters ahead of a glittering awards ceremony recognising their efforts to succeed and thrive despite suffering from life-threatening conditions.

When he chatted to 17-year-old Declan Bitmead – winner of the inspirational young person 15-18 years award – he quizzed him about family life, asking if he had siblings, and the teenager replied he had a younger brother.

William and Kate speak to WI members during the visit in Sunningdale, Berkshire (PA)

“Does he drive you mad?” asked the duke, and Declan replied, “No, we get on fine” – and Harry quipped with a smile, “You know what – siblings”.

When told that the teenager, from Oxted in Surrey, and his brother went to the same school, the duke said, “You’re at the same school, that sometimes makes it more challenging”.

Declan suffered permanent sight impairment and lost 96 per cent of his skin after developing a rare and life-threatening reaction to a common tonsillitis treatment.

Harry joked with the teenager and made him smile, after being told by the schoolboy he did not have much sight, by saying he was lucky not to see him.

“I’m bald and ginger,” he joked. “And worst of all, I’ve got a ginger beard – you’re thinking, phew.”

William, meanwhile, was in an upbeat mood as he and Kate joined WI members for a slice of cake, chatting fondly about his late grandmother’s passion for horses.

“I think she would have liked a few more winners,” William said, asking for members’ memories of the late Queen and telling them, “can’t believe it’s three years – goes quite quick”.

Harry is reported to have not been offered a place at a royal palace and is said to be staying at a hotel at his own expense.

It is not known whether the duke will see the King, with whom he has a troubled relationship.

Harry with Wellchild Award winners on Monday (PA)

The King, who is currently at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire with Camilla, has no public engagements planned for this week.

Harry and Charles last met face to face more than a year and a half ago when the duke made a transatlantic dash to see the monarch in February 2024 after hearing of his cancer diagnosis, but they spent just over 30 minutes together before the King left to recuperate in Sandringham.

Harry has previously spoken of his hopes for a “reconciliation” with his family, saying: “Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. Of course, they will never forgive me for lots of things.”

He added: “But you know, I would love reconciliation with my family,” and said there was “no point in continuing to fight anymore”.

Senior aides to the King and the duke were pictured together in London this July in what was reported to be an initial step towards opening channels of communication between the two sides.

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