Prince Harry is reportedly feeling 'buoyed' and 'energised' after meeting King Charles in the UK, but royal expert Jennie Bond says Prince William's anger over the Duke of Sussex's memoir Spare may still be a significant obstacle to reconciliation.
The contrasting positions have revived questions about whether the estranged brothers could appear together next year, when the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana's death is expected to bring renewed attention to their relationship.
The news came after Harry, Meghan Markle and their children met Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove in July. The private reunion was viewed as a tentative step towards improving the father and son's relationship, with reports suggesting Harry now hopes to return to Britain more regularly and maintain a stronger connection with his home country.
According to reports, associates described Harry as 'buoyed, very happy and really energised' after the meeting.
A source said the arrangement had created a potential template for future visits, particularly as Harry remains focused on his charitable work and the Invictus Games.
The account offered a striking contrast to the wider family situation. Harry may have found a route towards rebuilding his relationship with his father, but there has been no public indication that William is ready to do the same.
For context, the rift between the brothers deepened after Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals in 2020 and moved to the United States.
Harry later discussed his grievances with the royal family during the couple's interview with Oprah Winfrey, their Netflix documentary series and in Spare, published in 2023.
The memoir intensified tensions by detailing private family conversations and making claims about William, including an allegation that the then Prince of Wales physically confronted him during an argument.
Those claims have not been independently verified, and Kensington Palace has maintained its longstanding position of not commenting on private family matters.
Bond argued that Harry's public disclosures left William feeling betrayed. Her assessment was that, while Harry may now want to move forward, his brother could struggle to move beyond what he views as a public discussion of family disputes.
'What a tribute it would be to Diana if her sons could finally be reconciled on the anniversary of her untimely death,' Bond wrote.
'But if Harry's fire has been quelled, the anger smouldering inside William, who is known to be a stubborn character, could be much harder to extinguish.'
That is the central complication. Harry's reported optimism does not necessarily signal a full family reconciliation. It may instead suggest that one relationship has become less strained.
The Duke's plans for more regular UK visits could place the brothers in closer proximity, particularly around charity events and preparations for the Invictus Games. However, being in the same country does not automatically mean the relationship has been repaired.
