The brothers’ relationship has been strained for years
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/prince-harry-prince-william-2021-022624-3ea125da7be24bb4a6960f81993d175a.jpg "Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (L) and Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the unveiling of a statue of their mother, Princess Diana at The Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace, London on July 1, 2021")
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NEED TO KNOW
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are moving back to the U.K. with their children for an extended period of time, PEOPLE exclusively revealed on Aug. 19
- The move comes shortly after the Sussex family’s reunion with King Charles in July
- While Harry’s relationship with his brother, Prince William, remains deeply strained, a source close to the family says Harry’s time in Britain offers the “best opportunity” for the brothers to begin repairing their relationship
Prince Harry’s return to the U.K. could offer his best chance yet to repair relationships within the royal family.
PEOPLE revealed on Aug. 19 that Harry and Meghan Markle are relocating their family to the U.K. for an extended period of time beginning this month, with Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, set to begin school there in September.
The move comes as Harry appears to be making progress in rebuilding his relationship with his father, King Charles, following the family’s long-awaited private reunion last month. While Harry’s relationship with his older brother, Prince William, remains deeply strained, a source tells PEOPLE that having Harry back in Britain presents the “best opportunity” for the brothers to reconcile.
“It would never happen with him in America,” the source says. “This gives them opportunity to try and mend that bridge.”
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While a source close to Harry tells PEOPLE his relationship with his father is “better,” the same cannot be said of his bond with Prince William, which remains distant, with “no contact.”
“I thought it would have perhaps eased a little bit by now, to be honest. But there has been no movement, especially on William’s side,” a close source told PEOPLE in July.
Being back in Britain could naturally create more opportunities for contact between the brothers, “whether they want it or not,” the source tells PEOPLE. Other members of the royal family, including Kate Middleton, may also play a role in encouraging reconciliation.
“Catherine may step into that breach and try to help, too, because she knows how important family is and how important Harry is to William,” the source says. “She would want to see that healed, as any wife would. This gives them opportunity to try and mend that bridge.”
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The source speculates that Meghan may keep a relatively low profile as the family settles back into life in Britain. Over time, however, the source believes “the public will want to see them both.”
“I think they should tread a little carefully, and I think they will,” the source adds.
The key to any future reconciliation may ultimately lie with King Charles, who, PEOPLE understands, welcomed the news of Harry’s return after being informed of the family’s plans just days before they became public.
“He will want to see his sons together over time,” PEOPLE’s source says of the King. “This is the best opportunity we have seen in recent years.”
Like many close to the family, the source says they’re hopeful this latest chapter will mark a positive turning point.
“It’s the start of a really positive chapter for them, and it’s wonderful for the King to have his son home and to spend time with his grandchildren,” the source says.
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Prince Harry previously voiced his wishes to restore relationships with his family, telling the BBC in May 2025, “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.”
