There is only one sibling reconcilation that could trump this year’s announcement of the Oasis reunion. And while we might have our clearest sign yet that there’s a path to a truce for warring brothers Prince William and Prince Harry – with Kate Middleton said to be encouraging her husband to make amends in time for Christmas – there’s seemingly still one roadblock to them being a happy family again: Meghan Markle.
We’re told that the 43-year-old Duchess, who is yet to win back the trust of the Waleses, is keen for Harry, 40, to bury the hatchet, but only if her feelings taken into account. Our source says, ‘Meghan is all for Harry making peace with his family, but she’s not going to let them sideline her in the process. She’s been very clear that she’s not about to let William, or anyone else, drive a wedge between her and Harry. Any attempt to handle things with just Harry is a no-go. She feels strongly that she and Harry a team, and if his family wants to welcome him back but not her, that will be a dealbreaker.’
Both Meghan and Harry have been vocal in their criticism of the royal family since they left the UK in 2019, with the Prince slamming William in his memoir Spare, famously alleging the king-in-waiting physically attacked him. But in recent months, Harry – who lives in California with Meghan and their children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three – has made an increasing number of trips back to Britain. He hosted an event to celebrate 10 years of the Invictus Games in May, attended the funeral of his uncle Lord Robert Fellowes – where he and William reportedly ‘avoided’ one another – in August, and was a special guest at the WellChild Awards in September. But he has made all these trips without his wife, who hasn’t returned to British soil since the late Queen's funeral in 2022.
Now, our source says those close to the royals believe Harry could be trying to make a return to the fold without Meghan. ‘Harry’s solo trips, and this image he’s putting forward of being his own man again, have got people whispering that he’d be willing to come to the table without Meghan to get the ball rolling, but that’s not anything he or Meghan have said. Officially, they are still very much a package deal. There is a big worry that Meghan could turn out to be a real roadblock in the peace talks. Kate is still very optimistic, she’s seen a lot of changes in Harry, and she does believe he’s ready to compromise and let some of the past go, but she’s worried Meghan may stand in the way.’
The source continues, ‘As vocal as Harry’s been about wanting to reconcile, a lot of people do feel he’s still under Meghan’s influence and the worry is her stance could make it difficult for him to truly reach out. At the end of the day, Meghan and Kate both have very different ideas on what it will take for them to reconcile.’
Harry made it clear earlier this year that Meghan wouldn’t make a return to the UK until the Home Office provided security for his family – something they are not willing to budge on. Speaking in July, he said, ‘All it takes is one lone actor, one person… and whether it's a knife or acid… these are things that are of genuine concern for me. It’s one of the reasons why I won’t bring my wife back to this country.’
Meanwhile, William, 42, made his first public mention of Harry in several years last month as he fronted a documentary about ending homelessness – with many viewing the gesture as an olive branch. Recalling a day he spent at London’s largest day centre for unhoused people with his late mum Princess Diana in 1993, he said, ‘My mother took me to The Passage, she took Harry and I both there.’
We’re told that Kate, 42, was the brains behind William’s name drop, as she’s said to be ‘desperate’ for the brothers to make peace. And although Wills is said to be softening to the idea, he still needs convincing that Harry won’t go back to his old ways. ‘William needs to see real evidence that Harry has changed before he agrees to any type of peace talks,’ say’s our source. ‘Harry would love to just put this behind them, but William needs a lot more than that. He wants to feel assured that Harry is done with the public attacks on the family and has genuinely reflected on his past actions.
‘A public statement rescinding the hurtful things he’s said would be a good start, William wants Harry to admit that he was the one in the wrong. If he’s going to win William’s trust again, Harry needs to demonstrate accountability to their father, Camilla, Kate, the kids and, of course to William.’
Kate has again played a central role, with our source adding, ‘She has been instrumental in encouraging William to open up. She feels strongly that the family needs to heal, especially with the uncertainty surrounding King Charles’ health. For her, Christmas would be the perfect time for a fresh start.’
However, William is understandably cautious. ‘He does still love Harry, he’ll always be his brother, but there’s a part of him that fears getting hurt again,’ we’re told. ‘He’s made it clear that trust has to be rebuilt slowly, and the burden lies with Harry to show that he’s not the same person he was before.’