Prince Harry Would “Love to Reconnect” with Princess Kate—But Royal Biographer Says Prince William Won’t Have It
“Harry was hit hard by the news of her cancer diagnosis,” according to Christopher Andersen.
![Prince William, Kate Middleton, and Prince Harry](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7sFVDmyfdWATVBwJ7L6TMk-415-80.jpg)
For Prince Harry, the Princess of Wales was less of a sister-in-law and more, according to multiple accounts, of the sister he never had. As the chasm widened between Harry and his older brother, Prince William—who, on the 1 percent chance you’re not aware, is the Prince of Wales and has been married to Kate since 2011—the gulf between Harry and Kate unfortunately did, as well. And, in addition to the emotional distance between the two, the geographical distance factors in, as well, after Harry moved to the U.S. in 2020 with his wife, Meghan Markle, as they stepped away from their roles as working members of the royal family.
This trio was once representative of the future of the royal family.
Harry all but immediately hopped on a plane bound for the U.K. within hours of his father, King Charles, announcing his cancer diagnosis in February; after Kate did the same in a brave video message on March 22, it’s unclear how much Harry has spoken with her, and seems abundantly clear that he hasn’t seen her face-to-face, as his first visit back to the U.K. since her March announcement was last week, and Harry isn’t thought to have seen his father, brother, or sister-in-law while in London.
“Harry would love to reconnect with Kate,” royal biographer Christopher Andersen told Fox News Digital (and per The Mirror). “They were once extremely close, and Harry was hit hard by the news of her cancer diagnosis, which he learned about just the way the rest of us did, via Kate’s shocking video.”
Andersen said Harry would love to reconnect with Kate, especially in light of her recent cancer diagnosis, but William isn't interested in that.
In terms of a reconciliation attempt, Andersen added “Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear William is willing to let his brother anywhere near his ailing wife,” he said. “There was just too much drama between the brothers and their wives, and there is lingering bitterness on everyone’s part. So, the chances of even a meeting between Harry and the rest of the royal family—much less some sort of reconciliation—seem extremely slim.”
After Kate announced her diagnosis, Harry and Meghan released a statement, saying “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”
Harry and Meghan released a statement after Kate's diagnosis was revealed on March 22.
“There’s a deep rift between the brothers—that we know,” royal commenter Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun. “We also know that they haven’t apparently spoken in many months, and the reason, of course, is that for some four years, they’ve caused endless problems to the royal family, and so they can’t be trusted.”
Fitzwilliams said that William’s trust has been broken since the couple’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, and was only further exacerbated by the couple’s Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan (released in December 2022) and Harry’s memoir, Spare, which came out the following month. “The trouble is, that’s the only thing that appears to have made a lot of money for them,” Fitzwilliams said about projects pertaining to the royal family. “That raises other questions as to what they’ll be doing in the future.”
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Harry and Kate apparently have "a special bond that not many people understand."
To Harry and Kate’s relationship, a source said, per OK, “Everyone assumes Kate doesn’t like Harry, but they have a special bond that not many people understand,” they said. “She and Harry were extremely close at one time. She’s confided in him during some of her darkest moments.”
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
Zendaya Delivers a Podium-Worthy Pre-Olympics Gown
She's shining brighter than the City of Lights.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
'Love Island USA' Star Kenny Rodriguez Is Not "Playing Around" with His and JaNa Craig's Romance Outside of the Villa
The prince and princess of season 6 have remained the cutest couple since filming wrapped.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
So Many Celebrity Beauty Favorites Are in Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale
Shop Jennifer Lopez, Meghan Markle, and Kaia Gerber's beloved picks.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Critics Claim Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Tried to "Upstage" Prince George
"He wants to steal the thunder with his Invictus Games announcement."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Charlotte, Prince George, and King Charles Have the Cutest Matching Friendship Bracelets
And fans think Charlotte was responsible.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle Put “Her Own Neck On the Line” to Support Embattled Prince Harry at the ESPYs Earlier This Month
“She chose to be there for her husband.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince George Is Intentionally Being Raised Much Differently Than His Father Prince William Was, Even Though Both Are Heir to the Throne
“William still has painful memories of his own childhood and how he hated the persistent attention.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
In Naming Princess Charlotte, Prince William Poignantly Fulfilled a Long Ago Promise to His Late Mother, Princess Diana
Diana would be “over the moon” about it, her friend says.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince George Looks So Grown Up in 11th Birthday Portrait Taken by Mom Kate
Also, he looks so much like his dad.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Pippa Middleton Matthews Has Been “An Angel and Backbone” for Princess Kate During This Difficult Season
Pippa—who accompanied Kate and Princess Charlotte to Wimbledon this week—has drawn comparisons to Princess Margaret and her support of the late Queen Elizabeth.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Attending Sporting Events with Their Kids Is a “Much Needed Distraction” from Kate’s Ongoing Cancer Battle, Royal Biographer Says
“To say sports play a huge part in the lives of the royals is a massive understatement.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published