Prince Harry And Prince William's Worsening Rift Labeled As 'Hard And Sad' For The Royal Family

Jason Knauf, a former royal aide, recently shed light on the strained relationship between Prince William and Prince Harry, calling it "hard and sad."

The brothers' rift dates back to 2016 and worsened after Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped down from royal duties.

The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, who was once seen as a mediator between the brothers, is also said to have stepped back amid her cancer recovery.

Prince William And Prince Harry's Strained Relationship Described As 'Sad'

In a recent interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Knauf, who previously served as communications secretary for Prince William and Prince Harry, discussed the ongoing tension between the brothers.

He described the situation as "hard and sad," acknowledging the challenges faced by those close to the royal family.

Reflecting on his time working with the brothers and their wives, Knauf, who previously gained attention for accusing Meghan of bullying palace staff, noted that it is "very difficult to have this stuff play out in the public eye."

He emphasized the importance of respecting William's decision to keep his thoughts private on the matter, adding: "I think all of us who know him really have to respect that we should do the same."

According to Page Six, Knauf also shared that he "worked really closely with the two of them, and we had lots of great times."

The Sussexes' Claims Caused More Tension With The Prince And Princess Of Wales

The rift between William and Harry stretches back to 2016 when Harry began his relationship with Meghan.

The tension between the brothers grew more pronounced after Harry and Meghan stepped down from their royal duties and relocated to California, where they embarked on a new Hollywood venture.

Harry later became outspoken about his family in multiple interviews and his 2023 memoir, "Spare."

In the book, he shared details of his strained relationship with William, even claiming that his older brother physically attacked him during a heated dispute over Meghan.

The Sussexes also revealed personal details during their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which they discussed their growing tensions with William and their father, King Charles III.

In the explosive interview, Meghan made startling claims, including that members of Harry's family had expressed concerns about the color of their son's skin.

She also opened up about her personal struggles, revealing that she had experienced suicidal thoughts.

Kate Middleton Reportedly Stepped Back As Peacemaker Amid Royal Family Tensions

Harry and Meghan have largely kept their distance from William and Kate, only reuniting publicly at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022.

Harry briefly crossed paths with his brother at Charles III's coronation the following year, while Meghan remained in California with their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.

In 2023, Page Six reported that the Sussexes were open to reconciling with King Charles, now 76, though no progress has been made.

Meanwhile, royal expert Christopher Andersen claims that Kate, who has often been seen as a peacemaker in the family, is no longer involved in efforts to mend the fractured relationships.

In an interview with Fox News last year, Andersen explained that the Princess of Wales, currently focused on her recovery from cancer, has stepped away from the ongoing tensions.

"The idea that Kate still has the time and energy to act as a peacemaker is rubbish," Andersen stated. "She did try over a period of years and finally threw up her hands in disgust. She did her bit, but it wasn't enough to build a bridge between William and Charles on the one side and Harry on the other."

Prince William Might Not Invite Harry To His Coronation

Meanwhile, William reportedly does not want Harry to attend his future coronation, as he considers the Duke of Sussex "disloyal."

According to a Sunday Times article, the Prince of Wales has expressed that he wants his crowning, which will take place after the death of King Charles III, to "look and feel different," possibly including Harry's absence.

William's friends have stated that, as things stand, he does not want Harry at the ceremony, noting: "They are estranged, which is dreadfully sad."

The Royal Family Members Fear Speaking With Prince Harry Would Lead To 'Spear Volume 2'

One of Charles' friends commented on the rift between Harry, Meghan, and the royal family, sharing why William and other senior royals are wary of speaking to the Duke and Duchess.

"The problem for the king and other members of the family is the worry that if they have a chat with Harry, it will appear in 'Spare' Volume 2. How do you regain the trust? I don't think Harry ever can," the king's friend told The Times.

He continued, "But from the conversations I've had with the king, I would never say their relationship is irreparable. The king's capacity to forgive his son is undimmed. There are other members of the royal family who are much more weighted against Harry, that's the problem."