Prince William unlikely to reconcile with Prince Harry soon: expert
Dan Wakeford, founder of Celebrity Intelligence, discusses Prince Harry’s expected UK return, his relationship with King Charles, and why a meeting with Prince William remains unlikely.
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Prince Harry’s return to the United Kingdom could be King Charles’ biggest gamble yet — and Prince William may not like it.
The claim was made by multiple royal experts who spoke to Fox News Digital following reports that the Duke of Sussex is expected to visit the U.K. in September. The Sun reported that the monarch plans to offer his younger son a room at Buckingham Palace in London during his stay.
Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace and Archewell, which oversees the offices of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for comment.
KING CHARLES SENDS ‘DEFIANCE’ MESSAGE TO PRINCE WILLIAM WITH BUCKINGHAM PALACE ROOM OFFER TO HARRY: EXPERT
Prince Harry is seen walking behind King Charles during the procession for the lying-in-state of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 14, 2022, in London. According to reports, Harry is expected to return to the U.K. in September 2026.(Karwai Tang/WireImage)
“Prince Harry has been invited to stay at Buckingham Palace to coincide with the annual WellChild Awards, which he attends each year,” British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. “This is perceived as an olive branch by King Charles to slowly rebuild their relationship. However, will Prince Harry accept the invitation? There are murmurs that he has accepted it. Time will tell.”
“My Chard said. “They feel immensely betrayed by Harry’s explosive claims against the royal family. Also, my. People are not going to forget that they hurled the royal family under the bus, creating lasting damage to the crown. Many wonder why King Charles is appeasing Harry.”
<img src="https://comicvibe.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Prince-Harry-UK-Return.jpg" alt="Prince Harry leaving Chatham House in London with security behind him.”>
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex departs from The Invictus Games Foundation Conversation: From Policy to Practice at Chatham House on July 7, 2026, in London. Multiple royal experts told Fox News Digital that there’s no doubt King Charles’ younger son misses his life in the U.K.(Eamonn M. McCormack/
The olive branch came after the Sussexes had a rare reunion with Charles during their visit to the U.K. in July. The private meeting, which took place at Charles’ country estate, Highgrove House, marked the first time the king had seen his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, since 2022.
Harry’s recent visit to the U.K. was marked by problems.
After reports that the prince would visit his home country with his family, the British government declined his request for police protection outside royal residences, prompting him to travel alone on July 6.
Since marrying in 2018 and making their royal exit in 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been attempting to carve out their own independent roles outside the monarchy.(Joshua Sammer/
The Sussexes lost their taxpayer-funded security after they stepped back as senior working royals. Harry was later denied the restoration of that security by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC).
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, relocated to California in 2020.(Chris Jackson/
The couple previously lived at Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of Kensington Palace in London before moving to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor shortly before Archie was born in 2019. After they stepped back as working royals in 2020 and relocated to California, the Sussexes were asked to vacate Frogmore Cottage.
Frogmore Cottage was the home of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.(GOR/
People magazine reported that ahead of Harry’s trip, his team spent several days exploring ways to make the visit safe through enhanced private security arrangements. Palacestay at a royal residence before later accepting it
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, speaks at Scotty’s Summer Festival at Maxstoke Castle near Birmingham, central England, on July 11, 2026.(Heathcliff O’Malley/AFP
Harry’s spokesperson told the outlet that an offer for the Duke of Sussex to stay at Buckingham Palace during his London visit was withdrawn after he had formally accepted it. Palacespond by the deadline and that his later acceptance came only after arrangements could no longer be made
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A general view of Buckingham Palace in London, England, on July 6, 2026.(Dan Kitwood/
As, the drama surrounding the visit was “quite stressful.”
“What was billed as a big homecoming … turned into a nightmare,” Russell Myers, author of “William & Catherine,” told the outlet. “It was further evidence of the fractiousness of Harry’s relationship with the institution.”
Prince Harry attends the Time100 Sports Gala at Pier Sixty on July 16, 2026, in New York City.(WWD
Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent, reported that, according toe” that a meeting would take place on July 10 between the Sussexes and the king
Catherine, Princess of Wales kisses Prince William as she presents the prizes following the DMMI Royal Charity Polo Cup 2026 at The Castle Ground, Guards Polo Club, Flemish Farm, in Windsor, England, on July 10, 2026. At the time, the Sussexes were at Highgrove House with King Charles and Queen Camilla.(Max Mumby/Indigo/
She also reported that Charles, “who has sworn his youngest son and daughter-in-law to secrecy,” insisted that nothing about their July 10 meeting be leaked. Only palace aides were permitted to confirm the reunion had taken place after the Sussexes left Highgrove House without being seen.
Royal experts told Fox News Digital that while Charles is open to reconciling with his younger son and reconnecting with his California-based grandchildren, not everyone is welcoming the Sussexes with open arms.
Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on Sept. 19, 2022, in Windsor, England
Prince William is said to remain wary of his estranged brother, many of them shared. According to the experts, the brothers have not spoken since 2022, when their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, died.
“King Charles, from all indications and all feedback from courtiers, obviously wants to maintain an open dialogue and ongoing relationship with his ‘dear boy,'” British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. “Prince William, meanwhile, remains wary and won’t want Harry at the palace. However, it’s better that Harry stays at Buckingham Palace than in Windsor, which is too close to William and his family.”
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The Sun reported that Prince Harry is expected to visit the U.K. in September and his father, King Charles (center), will offer his son a room at Buckingham Palace in London.(Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/
If Charles hopes to bring Harry back into the royal fold, he’ll first need the blessing of the future king, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said.
“The attitude of the Waleses, since they are the monarchy’s future, is pivotal,” Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. “And with good reason, they don’t trust the Sussexes. King Charles’ approach could prove incendiary.”
British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital there’s no feud between Prince William and his father, King Charles III.(Max Mumby/Indigo/
Still, Chard believes Charles appears willing to risk fresh royal tensions in pursuit of something he’s long wanted: reconciliation with Harry.
King Charles III is seen arriving at Clarence House on Sept. 10, 2025, in London, England. The monarch had a private tea with his son, Prince Harry.(Belinda Jiao/
“Don’t get me wrong, reconciliation within the British royal family would be good as it makes the monarchy stronger,” Chard said. “However, why invite Harry to Buckingham Palace, the iconic royal residence that’s the administrative heart of the monarchy? Harry is no longer a working royal and shouldn’t be offered a room at Buckingham Palace.”
“I guess the optics of inviting Harry to Buckingham Palace are seen as a goodwill gesture, easing tensions with small steps forward, peace-wise,” Chard said. “It also skates over the endless divide within the family.”
Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, looks on as Britain’s King Charles III leaves Westminster Abbey after the coronation ceremonies in central London on May 6, 2023. He was sitting a few rows away from his family.(Ben Stansall/POOL/AFP
Chard previously told Fox News Digital that William is known for being stubborn behind palace doors and isn’t one to forgive easily.
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Prince William (pictured here) did not meet with his estranged younger brother, Prince Harry, who spent time with their father King Charles III at Highgrove House, the monarch’s private residence, on July 10, 2026.(Chris Jackson/
“William believes the monarchy must be seen to do the right thing, even when it’s painful. From what I understand, he felt his father didn’t handle that firmly enough. He also believes in protecting it by drawing hard lines. But he’s not the king yet.”
According to reports, Earl Charles Spencer hosted the Sussexes during their visit to Althorp House.(Jordan Pettitt/PA Images)
During part of their U.K. visit, the Sussexes stayed at Althorp, Princess Diana’s ancestral home, where they were hosted by Harry’s uncle, Earl Charles Spencer. It was there that Archie and Lilibet learned more about their grandmother, who died when Harry was 12
Meghan later shared photos of Harry and their children at the estate on Instagram.
Visitors arrive at Althorp House for the Althorp Literary Festival in Northampton, England.(David Levenson/
Fordwich previously told Fox News Digital that William was likely “livid” over the photos.
“Not only is Prince William likely to be livid regarding the commercialization of Althorp in such a tacky, tasteless media post, but it’ll fuel his disgust, so he [would] thwart any major re-entry,” she said. “Likewise, Camilla, courtiers, palace aides, security officials and other institutional gatekeepers who are duty-bound to protect the monarchy will all do their utmost to thwart Meghan and Harry’s attempts.”
