Prince William and Prince Harry have been through a lot together, and without each other.
But despite the ups and downs, the brothers will always share a special connection – and William himself is intent to hold onto that, a new report claims.
The Sunday Times‘ royal correspondent Roya Nikkhah spoke to several of William’s friends about the so-called “rift” between the Duke and his brother.
One explained that while the father-of-three is still “very upset by what’s happened,” he is “absolutely intent that he and Harry’s relationship will heal in time.”
Another source told the publication that “once [William] got over the anger of how things happened, he was left with the absence of his brother,” the source told the outlet.
“They shared everything about their lives, an office, a foundation, meetings together most days and there was a lot of fun along the way. He’ll miss it forever.”
Apparently, William felt most blindsided by one particular statement from Harry that addressed their use of the word “royal.”
In the statement released by the Sussexes, it read: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’ or any iteration of the word ‘Royal.'”
The source told The Times: “That was it for William, he felt they’d blindsided the Queen in such an insulting and disrespectful way.”
Of course, we know what happened next – Harry and wife Meghan have gone on to give an explosive interview to Oprah Winfrey, slamming the Palace for its lack of support, as well as calling out a racist comment made about their son by an unnamed family member.
In a public engagement shortly following the interview, Prince William was asked by a journalist: “Are you a racist family?”, to which William firmly replied: “No we are not a racist family.”
While the brothers have certainly had their differences, that doesn’t detract from their unbreakable bond they shared with everything they went through when they were younger – the loss of their mother, Princess Diana was grieved most heavily by her two sons.
This week, Prince Harry penned a beautiful letter to children who had also lost a parent as part of the release of children’s story, Hospital By The Hull.
“If you are reading this book, it’s because you’ve lost your parent or a loved one, and while I wish I was able to hug you right now, I hope this story is able to provide you comfort in knowing that you’re not alone,” Harry shared in the first chapter.
“When I was a young boy I lost my mum. At the time I didn’t want to believe it or accept it, and it left a huge hole inside of me. I know how you feel, and I want to assure you that over time that hole will be filled with so much love and support. We all cope with loss in a different way, but when a parent goes to heaven, I was told their spirit, their love and the memories of them do not.
He finished: “They are always with you and you can hold onto them forever. I find this to be true.”
It’s a beautiful, heartbreaking reminder of the loss Harry and William endured together – and another sign that while they’ve since grown older and a little further apart, they will always share that same love for their mother – and that, in the end, will always hold them together.