The royal rumor mill was in overdrive this week. Prince Harry and Prince William both had public duties in the United Kingdom, leaving many wondering if the estranged brothers would finally cross paths. As it turns out, they didn’t.
Harry, who is 40 years old, landed in London on Monday, September 8. Royal watchers eagerly discussed whether the Duke of Sussex would connect with his family. Before attending the WellChild Awards on Monday, Harry made a special stop. He visited the grave of his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle. This marked the third anniversary of her passing.
William, however, was paying his respects eight miles away. He and his wife, Princess Kate Middleton, were at the Women’s Institute in Sunningdale, Berkshire. They were there to support a cause Queen Elizabeth had favored before her death. As the week continued, Harry and William were both photographed at separate events, but their paths simply did not meet.
On Wednesday, September 10, William, 43, marked World Suicide Prevention Day. He was at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, with members of the Jac Lewis Foundation. Harry stayed in London that Wednesday. He had engagements related to the Invictus Games, which are set for Birmingham in 2027. People are already wondering if William and King Charles III will attend Harry’s event.
Harry’s return to his home country comes months after a significant legal setback. In May, he lost his appeal for government-funded security. Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, lost their protective security detail in the UK after they stepped back from royal duties in 2020. He has been fighting to get it back ever since.
After that legal loss, Harry spoke openly with the BBC. He discussed the family dispute and even hinted at his father’s supposed role in the court’s decision. “My father holds a lot of control and power,” Harry said back then. “Ultimately, he could resolve all of this. Not by stepping in, but by stepping aside. He could let the experts do what’s needed.”
He also called for reconciliation during the ongoing family drama. “I would love to reconcile with my family,” he added. “Fighting makes no sense anymore. Life is precious. I don’t know how much time my father has left.”
In July, teams for Harry and Charles were seen meeting in the UK. A well-known publication understood Harry’s communications director was in London for regular meetings. At the time, several news outlets reported on the closed-door meeting. They said it was about royal family issues. Some even guessed Charles and Harry would meet in person this month.
“This meeting is make-or-break,” a royal insider told a major entertainment magazine last week. “If it goes well, it could open up other family members to improving the relationship. If anything negative leaks, it’s over, and there will be no chance for peace.”