For years, many royal followers have hoped for a reconciliation between Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and the rest of the royal family.
Central to the tension is the long-running feud between Harry and his brother, Prince William. Despite leaving royal duties in 2020, the Sussexes have continued to make headlines with claims against the monarchy—many of which have fueled the rift.
Among the most damaging allegations: Meghan’s claim that members of the royal family had “concerns” about the potential skin color of their unborn son, Archie.
Then came Harry’s explosive memoir Spare, where he detailed a physical fight with William and expressed deep resentment.
Harry Wants Accountability—And an Apology
Despite the drama, royal author Tom Quinn claims Harry is still open to repairing the relationship—if certain conditions are met.
Speaking to Mirror, Quinn said, “He wants to reconcile with his brother so that the children can have some kind of a relationship, but he and Meghan still think that a grovelling apology needs to come from William and Kate first.” According to Quinn, Harry believes an apology is essential before forgiveness can happen.
This echoes what Harry previously told The Telegraph in 2023: “I’m willing to forgive you for everything you’ve done… but what I’d really like is some accountability. And an apology to my wife.”
William May Not Understand What the Apology Is For
Royal historian Gareth Russell has questioned whether William even knows what Harry wants an apology for. Speaking to GB News, Russell said, “[Harry] makes quite cryptic comments like ‘They know what they did.’ Which, given that he’s prepared to specify in detail everything else is strange.”
Russell referenced a moment in Spare where William asks Harry directly what went wrong between them—and Harry, in disbelief, wonders, “How could he not know?” According to Russell, this suggests Harry may be carrying years of unresolved feelings that William doesn’t fully understand.
An Apology Likely Won’t Come
As hopeful as Harry might be, many royal insiders suggest an apology isn’t likely to happen. “That just isn’t going to happen,” Quinn told Mirror, referring to any apology from William or Kate.
Other royal sources agree. A 2023 Daily Mail report quoted a family insider saying, “What are the family meant to apologize for? As the late queen said, recollections may vary.” Another source added, “William has no intention whatsoever of apologizing and remains incandescent, especially around the way his wife, the Princess of Wales, has been treated.”
Tensions between Meghan and Kate were made public during Meghan’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, where she spoke of conflict over bridesmaid dresses before her wedding. And more recently, the lack of trust was underlined by reports that Kate chose not to inform Harry and Meghan directly about her cancer diagnosis.
With both sides seemingly unwilling to budge—and with fresh wounds adding to old ones—it appears that a reunion between the brothers, or any broader reconciliation, remains far off.