She would have brought them together – Queen Elizabeth remembered amid royal rift
As the royal family approaches what would have been her 100th birthday, the absence of Queen Elizabeth II is being felt, especially in the ongoing distance between Prince William and Prince Harry.
Sources close to the palace say the late monarch maintained a balanced view, even during periods of tension within the family.
“She saw both of them, even after the estrangement,” one insider shared, adding,
“She believed you can have views without taking sides. She understood that families are complicated.”
Former press secretary Ailsa Anderson echoed that sentiment, noting the limits of what the Queen could have done. “It’s very difficult. The only two people who can mend this are themselves,” she said. “She could have helped bring them together, but the first move has to come from them.”
The strained relationship between the brothers has been ongoing for several years. Reports suggest the tension began in 2016, when William raised concerns about how quickly Harry’s relationship with Meghan Markle was progressing.
In his memoir Spare, Harry described their bond as layered and often difficult, calling William both his “beloved brother” and “arch nemesis,” while recalling moments of conflict between them.
The distance widened after Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California. They later spoke publicly about their experiences within the royal family through interviews, a documentary series, and the memoir.
Despite the ongoing tension, there are signs of limited progress elsewhere. A source says Harry has been in more regular contact with his father, King Charles III, following a meeting in September 2025.
According to reporting referenced in a recent book by Russell Myers, William was deeply affected by the situation, at one point feeling unable to engage with his brother and sister-in-law.
Amid the strain, Catherine, Princess of Wales is said to have remained a steady presence, offering support to William as he navigates both personal and public pressures.
