William and Harry ‘Frost’ Unlikely to Thaw Because of Uncle’s Funeral
Some commentators say the death of another family member, Robert Fellowes, is unlikely to resolve Prince William and Prince Harry’s rift. The Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex’s maternal uncle and husband to Princess Diana’s older sister, Jane Fellowes, died on July 29, 2024. Amid speculation they could both attend Fellowes’ funeral—and maybe talk despite not having spoken in years—some authors and royal experts “can’t see” it happening.
The funeral’s unlikely to ‘unite’ Prince William and Prince Harry
Speaking to OK! about the possibility of Fellowes’ funeral bringing together William and Harry, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond called it unlikely given what’s happened at other events they’ve attended in recent years.
“I think we have learned by now that nothing seems likely to thaw the frost between William and Harry,” she told the outlet (via Mirror). “We thought [Prince Philip] the Duke of Edinburgh‘s funeral would be a turning point. It seemed highly likely that the queen’s funeral would unite the family. And then we had the coronation.”
“None of these once-in-a-lifetime events did anything to mend the rift between the brothers,” she said. That means despite seeing each other in 2021, 2022, and 2023 William and Harry’s rift continues.
Bond also noted the brothers “appeared civil” despite already being “at war” when they unveiled a statue of Diana alongside their maternal aunts and uncle in 2021. The reason, she suggested, was perhaps for their relatives’ “sakes.”
Their rift is too ‘deep’ for real progress to be made at the funeral
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward and former royal correspondent Richard Palmer discussed the possibility Fellowes’ death could spark something between Harry and William on True Royalty TV’s The Royal Beat.
“Inevitably, there’s speculation,” Palmer said, noting a former senior royal aide is hopeful (via Newsweek). They “speculated that this might be an opportunity for some sort of fixing of the relationship between William and Harry if they both go to the funeral.”
“I can’t see it myself,” Palmer said. “I can see them going to the funeral. But I just think that the rift between them is so deep at the moment.”
Seward echoed Palmer, saying Fellowes’ funeral probably won’t be the place where William and Harry’s rift begins to thaw. “I don’t think that would happen,” Seward said. “I mean, they’re not going to start arguing at a funeral.”
She continued: “I don’t think that’s also the moment to have a makeup. Obviously, you’re going to be nice to your brother, you’re not going to be rude. But the last thing you want to do is be pushed together with him too much.”
Harry’s presence at the funeral would lead to ‘awkwardness’
If Harry goes to the funeral—it remains speculation—his presence will create an “awkward” situation, according to Bond. That is if he and William both go.
“I imagine Harry will want to be at his uncle’s funeral,” she said. “But his presence would cause all sorts of awkwardness if William attends too.”
“It would be nice to think, though, that two grown-up men could at least be in the same space as they were at the coronation,” she added. “Albeit briefly without ruining an occasion of great sadness and solemnity.”
