Prince William reportedly extended an olive branch to his estranged brother, Prince Harry, for a deeply personal reason—“to honour their late grandmother.” Despite ongoing tensions and no longer being on speaking terms, the future King took the step to connect during a pivotal moment for the royal family.
Since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal duties in 2020, the once-close bond between the brothers has been strained. Their only public reunion occurred under somber circumstances—the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
According to The Mirror, Prince William reached out to Prince Harry via text message, setting aside their differences temporarily to pay tribute to their beloved grandmother. The gesture, while brief, marked a rare thaw in their otherwise distant relationship.
The two couples, the Waleses and the Sussexes, were once dubbed the “Fab Four” and seen as the modern face of the monarchy. However, their unity unraveled after Prince Harry released his explosive memoir, Spare, which detailed private family tensions and widened the rift.
Despite their strained dynamic, the two couples were seen together during the mourning period for the late Queen. They participated in what was called the Long Walk in Windsor, where they “viewed floral tributes and met grieving members of the public who had gathered to pay their respects to the monarch.”
The Daily Mail reported on the rare reunion, noting, “It happened very quickly, remarkable really considering they didn’t see each other in Scotland.” Sources suggested that the idea to appear together publicly was initiated by Prince William himself, despite King Charles not being in favor of the move.
The walkabout was widely interpreted as a gesture of unity in a moment of national mourning, even if only temporary. It served as a symbolic reminder of their shared history and responsibilities—especially in honoring the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II.
While tensions between the royal brothers remain unresolved, Prince William’s decision to reach out, even momentarily, demonstrates the enduring importance of family ties and duty during times of loss. Whether this brief connection leads to further reconciliation remains to be seen, but for one solemn moment, they stood together—united in remembrance.