A Family Contrast

It’s little surprise, then, that weekends and holidays are often spent with the Middletons rather than the Windsors. William’s envy of their close family bond stems from a longing for the same warmth in his own.

As Shuter noted, “Instead of spending low-key weekends with Windsor relatives, the Prince and Princess of Wales chose to party with Pippa and James Matthews, who threw a lavish 50th, complete with vintage planes and champagne towers. Meanwhile, Carole is spotted regularly on school runs and errands with her grandchildren.”

A Father Figure in Michael Middleton

William is said to be especially close to Michael Middleton, whom he reportedly sees as a father figure. Royal expert Katie Nicholl explained on Dynasty: The Royal Family’s Most Challenging Year podcast that William often turns to Michael for guidance.

“He [Michael] has a great sense of humor, and I think he’s someone who is a cool head in a crisis… They were a very tight unit, and they’re still the same today,” she said. Proof of their bond was evident when William asked Michael’s permission to marry Kate before seeking approval from Queen Elizabeth, underscoring how much he values his father-in-law.

Strained Relations with Harry

Meanwhile, William’s rift with Harry shows no sign of healing. He remains hurt and angry over his brother exposing the Firm’s private struggles. An insider told the Daily Mail, “William is back at the point where if you mention Prince Harry in his presence, he would throw you out of the room. He’s doubling down.” It is also believed William scheduled a heavy workload during Harry’s UK trip to avoid any chance of meeting him.