Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to travel to the UK this week for a rare visit linked to the Invictus Games in Birmingham on July 6 and 7.
There has also been speculation that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could be joined by their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, making it their first family trip to Britain in four years.
Reports suggest Harry may meet King Charles during the visit, as the Duke continues to work on rebuilding his relationship with his father after years of distance.
However, a reunion with Prince William appears unlikely.
Royal sources have claimed that the relationship between the brothers remains deeply strained. The Mirror’s royal editor Russell Myers has described their bond as “the worst it has ever been,” following Harry’s public allegations against the Royal Family.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond also said William would likely try to avoid becoming involved in the attention surrounding Harry’s visit, although that may not be easy.
“I think William has worked hard at simply putting Harry out of his mind so that he can focus on his family and his job,” Bond said. “But now, with all the headlines and speculation about the visit, he can’t really avoid it.”
She added that, with school holidays underway, William and his family may choose to stay away from the noise surrounding the Sussexes’ trip.
Bond also played down the chances of William and Harry meeting face to face, saying it remains unlikely because of the tension between them.
However, she suggested that if Harry’s children meet King Charles, it could possibly mark the beginning of a slow thaw in the wider royal rift.
“But I wouldn’t take any bets on it,” she added.
According to Bond, trust remains the biggest issue between the brothers. William is said to have been deeply hurt by Harry and Meghan’s claims about the Royal Family, particularly those involving Princess Kate.
She said any reconciliation would ultimately depend on William and whether he feels ready to rebuild his relationship with Harry.
“I suppose it could start with the odd text or birthday card one day,” Bond said. “But trust is the important factor here. And, as yet, I do not think that William trusts Harry or Meghan.”
While a possible meeting between King Charles and Harry’s family could be seen as a step toward healing tensions, a reunion between William and Harry still appears unlikely for now.
