Prince William remains “cautious” of Prince Harry as “there’s still a lot of hurt” between the brothers, insiders reveal

The once-close relationship between Prince William and Prince Harry has not healed despite recent family meetings, with royal sources describing the brothers as still “so broken” and warning that the rift is “very profound and very long-lasting”. The Duke of Sussex, 41, and his wife Meghan Markle, along with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, met privately with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove in July 2025 — the first time the Sussex family had set foot in the UK since 2022. Yet William, Kate and their three children were not present for the gathering, even though they were separated by just 12 miles. Staff at Highgrove were dismissed before the arrival, underscoring the extremely private nature of the encounter.

“William has become cautious,” a royal source told Us Weekly. “Rebuilding trust between the brothers is going to require more than a simple conversation.” As for the Princess of Wales, she “values harmony but also supports where William is emotionally”, the insider added. “She would love for things to come together and be repaired, but will support William and his timeline.” The source continued: “There’s still a lot of hurt, and it’s going to take time to heal. The relationship between Harry and William will never be what it used to be.”

A separate report in People magazine painted an even starker picture. “I thought it would have perhaps eased a little bit by now, to be honest,” one insider said. “But there has been no movement, especially on William’s side. There is no contact.” Another source described the brothers’ relationship as “so broken” and added that William is “protecting the family and the crown”, while the King “has to walk a very fine line”. Charles wants to support his son but knows that any appearance of influencing security decisions could create political controversy.

Royal historian Robert Lacey told People the rift is “very profound and very long-lasting” and will not change until Harry “makes a move and apologizes”. Fellow royal historian Amanda Foreman told the magazine that “Everyone wants it to happen on their terms, but that’s what makes it impossible”. The comments have reignited widespread discussion about the future of the royal family, with many wondering whether any meaningful reconciliation is even on the horizon.

The recent meeting at Highgrove was the first time the Sussexes and the King had been together since late 2022, when Charles and Camilla hosted a private lunch in London. The gathering was described as cordial but brief, with no public statements issued afterwards. Meghan and the children have spent much of their time in the US, while William and Kate have focused on their growing family life in Windsor and Norfolk. The lack of contact between William and Harry has been noted for months, with reports suggesting the brothers have not spoken since early 2024.

William’s cautious approach is seen as a direct result of years of hurt. The Sussexes’ move to America in 2020, their decision to step back from royal duties, the explosive revelations in Harry’s 2022 memoir Spare and Netflix documentary, and the strained relationship with King Charles have all taken their toll. Insiders suggest William feels the deepest pain over the perceived betrayal and the way the family narrative has been portrayed publicly.

King Charles, who has made several efforts to mend fences in recent years, continues to walk a tightrope. He wants his son Harry to feel comfortable but also recognises the political and institutional risks of any overt involvement in Sussex security arrangements. The King’s private meetings with Harry and Meghan have been well received by the Sussexes, yet William’s absence from Highgrove has left the brothers further apart than ever.

The royal family’s summer of 2025 has therefore been marked by quiet efforts at healing on one side of the equation while the other remains firmly closed. With no contact reported between William and Harry, and with the King balancing two very different priorities, experts believe the brothers’ relationship will take years — if ever — to return to its former closeness.

For now, the message from those closest to the family is clear: the hurt is deep, trust is fragile, and any path to reconciliation will require Harry to take the first significant step. Until then, the Sussexes and the Wales family will continue to lead largely separate lives, with the King acting as a quiet bridge between them.

The latest revelations have only intensified speculation among royal watchers. Some believe the absence of William at Highgrove was deliberate, a way for the future King to protect his own peace of mind. Others point to the ongoing stress of public life and the demands of raising a young family in the spotlight. Either way, the picture painted by insiders is one of caution, distance and a long road still ahead.

Prince William’s cautious stance is not taken lightly. The source emphasised that he “supports William and his timeline”, meaning any move forward will have to be on the Prince of Wales’s terms. Kate’s role as peacemaker has not diminished, but she too recognises that forcing reconciliation could damage the fragile progress that has been made with King Charles.

The brothers’ relationship, once the closest in the royal family, now feels like a distant memory to many. The Sussexes’ decision to live in America, their choice of titles and the global spotlight they now occupy have created an unbridgeable gulf in many eyes. Whether Harry ever apologises for the role he played in the family drama, or whether William ever chooses to meet him halfway, remains an open question.

For now, the royal family is navigating a summer of two very different paths. The King is reaching out where he can, while the Prince of Wales remains firmly on the other side of a deep divide. The hurt may never fully disappear, and the relationship between Prince William and Prince Harry will never be what it once was — that much is certain.