The relationship between brothersPrince HarryandPrince Williamremains tense as the two are set to reunite at the coronation ofKing Charles.
“Things are strained,” a palace insider tells PEOPLE exclusively in this week’s cover story.
There has been no communication betweenPrince Harry, 38, andPrince William, 40, in the lead-up to their father’s coronation, and an insider says Harry’s participation in the historic event will do little to ease tensions.
“I don’t think the coronation and a big conversation can be conflated,” says an insider.
In his memoirSpare, released early this year,Prince Harryrevealed some of the reasons thatdrove him andPrince Williamapart. Harry claimed that a 2019 confrontation over his relationship withMeghan Markleturned physically violent.
Harry said the disagreement started when William called Meghan “difficult,” “rude” and “abrasive,” to which Harry replied that his brother was simply “parrot[ing of] the press narrative” about his wife.
Prince Harry and Prince William.Samir Hussein/WireImage
“There’s a lot that can happen between now and then. But the door is always open. The ball is in their court,” he said. “There’s a lot to be discussed, and I really hope that they’re willing to sit down and talk about it.”
Prince William and Prince Harry.Daniel Leavl-Olivas-Pool Getty Images
When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex received an email about the royal event from King Charles' office, it became clear that the “sit-down” Harry sought wasn’t going to happen, a close friend tells PEOPLE.
“They didn’t hear from Charles. Harry wanted to hear from his father directly — it’s always through somebody,” the friend says.
However, the estranged father and son ultimately connected — although not in person — and had “positive conversations,” a source says.
King Charles and Prince Harry.Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
“Despite the wounds, it’s his son, and I can’t imagine he wouldn’t want him to be there regardless of the hurtful things that have been said,” adds royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith, author ofGeorge VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy.
source: people.com
