Prince William and Prince Harry are on “different paths”, the Duke of Sussex stated during two different interviews over the past two years. However, the brothers remain united in carrying on Princess Diana’s legacy, according to a source.
They said: “For all their differences, the two are still totally bonded on preserving their mother’s legacy.”
The brothers, the insider added, are to meet on July 1, when they will put on a united front to honour their mother on what would have been her 60th birthday.
The source told Us magazine: “It’s a real shame that they’re on such bad terms going into this because it’s going to be very emotional.”
Last August, the Dukes issued a rare joint statement announcing plans to unveil a statue of Diana they had originally commissioned together to mark the 20th anniversary of her death.
A statement said: “The statue that Prince William and Prince Harry have commissioned to commemorate their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, will be installed next year on what would have been her 60th birthday.
“The statue was commissioned to mark the 20th anniversary of her death and recognise her positive impact in the UK and around the world.
“The statue will be installed in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace on July 1 2021, marking the Princess’s 60th birthday.
“The Princes hope that the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on their mother’s life and her legacy.”
Reports of cracks in the relationship between the brothers first emerged in late 2018, when the Sussexes announced they were moving out of Nottingham Cottage to relocate at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.
One year later, in October 2019, the Duke of Sussex opened up on tensions with Prince William, telling ITV broadcaster Tom Bradby during his tour to Africa: “We’re certainly on different paths at the moment but I will always be there for him and, as I know, he will always be there for me.
“We don’t see each other as much as we used to because we are so busy.
“But I love him dearly. And you know the majority of stuff is created out of nothing.
“But as brothers, you know, you have good days, you have bad days.”
The Duke of Sussex expressed a similar sentiment during his landmark interview with Oprah Winfrey, recorded in February and first released in the US on March 7.
Speaking about William, Harry said: “I love William to bits. He’s my brother. We’ve been through hell together.
“I mean, we have a shared experience. But we- you know, we’re on- we’re on different paths.”
Prince Harry added the relationship with William at the moment is one of “space”.
The two-hour-long interview of Meghan and Harry is believed to have upset the Duke of Cambridge.
Royal author Penny Junor said Prince William may have been hurt in particular by Meghan’s decision to drag Kate into the interview, claiming the Duchess of Cambridge had made her cry before her wedding – and had also apologised for it.
Ms Junor told People magazine: “William is very protective of Kate and can get very angry.
“For Meghan to name Kate in a negative light is worse than being attacked himself.”
Prince Harry and Prince William spoke on the phone for the first time since the Oprah interview aired over the weekend.
Prince Harry and Prince William are believed to have last seen each other in person in March 2020, when senior royals attended the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, which also marked the Sussexes’ last-ever joint engagement as full-time working royals.
Pictures and clips from the ceremony showed the Cambridges and the Sussexes exchanging only a few nods as Kate and William arrived at their seats before the service began.