Princess Diana’s former butler says a reconciliation between the brothers is unlikely anytime soon
A former royal insider believes the growing distance between Prince William and Harry is not accidental and may be permanent.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Paul Burrell said William has pulled away from his younger brother far more than many people realise. In his view, it comes down to duty, timing, and the very different paths the two brothers are now on.
Burrell, who once served Princess Diana, explained that as William moves closer to becoming king, his world has naturally become smaller and more controlled. According to him, the future monarch cannot afford unpredictability or loose boundaries.
William, Burrell said, is focused on operating within a tightly protected environment. He believes a future king cannot risk information leaking out or personal matters spilling into public view. Control, in that sense, is not about power but about safeguarding the monarchy itself.
That mindset, Burrell added, leaves little space for rebuilding trust with Harry, particularly given past interviews, books, and public disclosures. From William’s perspective, the priority is protecting his family and the institution he will one day lead.
Burrell also drew a comparison with Queen Elizabeth II, saying the late queen always placed the crown above everything else. William, however, approaches the role differently. He puts his wife and children first, with the crown coming second.
In Burrell’s view, that focus on family, stability, and control makes a reunion between the brothers increasingly unlikely. Not because of lingering anger, but because William believes distance is necessary for the life and role he is preparing to inherit.
