She has been the one member of the royal family trying to get Prince William and Prince Harry to heal their rift – but we’re told that now even Kate Middleton is ready to stop fighting for a reconciliation.
The latest fallout comes after Harry’s most recent allegations about his family, during his hearing about downgrading his taxpayer-funded personal protection. He claimed the decision was an attempt to stop him and wife Meghan Markle from stepping down as working members of the royal family back in 2020, which Buckingham Palace sources have strongly denied. As he left the Royal Courts of Justice in London last week following the hearing – which was partly held in private to hear confidential evidence – Harry claimed, ‘People would be shocked by what’s being held back.’ He also added, ‘[My] worst fears have been confirmed by the whole legal disclosure in this case and that’s really sad’. A verdict is to be announced in the coming weeks.
Now, a source tells heat that, while Harry’s latest comments have left the majority of the royals feeling upset, sister-in-law Kate, 43, has been left particularly devastated by the turn of events. Our insider says, ‘Harry’s allegations didn’t come as a huge surprise to most of the royals. They’ve grown very accustomed to him laying the blame for his troubles squarely at his family’s door. But it still stings that he’s managed to have yet another dig, insinuating that they forged this elaborate plot to keep him and Meghan trapped in the UK.'
They add, ‘For William, it’s a claim that’s nothing short of ridiculous, and he says it only serves to show how paranoid Harry is. Suffice to say, he’s got no interest in communicating with his brother when he’s in this headspace. He’s very saddened by the situation because Harry is still his brother, and he’ll always love him deep down. But he says establishing any type of dialogue or hoping to mend fences is untenable. And that’s just so frustrating and heartbreaking for Kate.’
heat previously reported how Kate has been keeping in touch with Harry, 40 – who lives in California with Meghan, 43, and their children Archie, five, and Lilibet, three – with hopes that the brothers would eventually make amends on one of the Duke of Sussex’s UK visits. ‘Kate’s been chipping away behind the scenes, imploring William to think the best, and praying he'd soften his heart and give peace a chance,’ continues our source. ‘The stand-off has caused so much sadness and tension between them because William’s hardline stance has been so hard for her to comprehend. But after Harry’s latest antics, it’s hard for her to argue his case.'
They continue, ‘She’s in this no-win position seeing the two brothers totally at odds and with a resolution looking like a fool’s hope at this point. Just a few weeks ago, she was keeping her fingers crossed Harry would make contact with them on his return visit, that they’d be able to sit down and at least be cordial. But instead, he’s clearly as agitated and resentful as he ever was towards the family. It’s as though everyone’s taken one step forward and three steps back.’
Our insider claims that William, 42 – who shares children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, who turns seven this week, with wife Kate – is now finally putting his foot down and telling her to leave the idea of a reunion alone.
And, with their differences over Harry already causing tension, Kate is finally ready to listen for the sake of their marriage. The source adds, ‘It’s no secret that William is asking Kate to stop pushing this idea that they can make peace. He wants to draw a line under the whole Harry saga for the foreseeable, if not permanent, future. Kate’s under no illusions. At this point, they’d need a miracle to turn this mess around.’