Drama is inevitable whenever Prince Harry (41) makes a visit to his British homeland. Now the time has come again: The Duke of Sussex, who has been living in the USA since 2020, is traveling to attend a series of charity appearances starting Tuesday ahead of the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. But for the local press and royal fans, that's only a side note.
The news is dominated by speculation about whether Harry's wife Duchess Meghan (44) and their children, Prince Archie (7) and Princess Lilibet (5), are accompanying him. And whether there will be a reunion of the Sussex kids with their grandfather King Charles (77).
The California-based Sussexes had long refused to bring their children to Great Britain. The reason was the loss of Harry's police protection after the "Megxit" in January 2020. Charles has therefore not seen his grandchildren since Queen Elizabeth II's (1926-2022) Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.
A meeting between Harry and Prince William (44), on the other hand, is apparently not expected at this time. The brothers are said to have not spoken to each other since the Queen's funeral.
The conflict in what is arguably the most famous family in the world goes back years. These are the stages of the conflict:
2018: The Wedding of Harry and Meghan
The dispute began with the relationship between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The former "Suits" actress from the USA became Duchess of Sussex through their 2018 wedding. After that, the couple's relationship with the rest of the family increasingly deteriorated.
Even before the wedding, media often compared Meghan with her sister-in-law Princess Kate (44). Reports of a strained relationship made the rounds. There were also said to be initial tensions between Harry and William.
According to royal expert Katie Nicholl, media reports suggested Harry was annoyed because his brother hadn't exactly "rolled out the red carpet" for his wife. William, in turn, is said to have had concerns that the relationship was developing too quickly. Harry reacted to these concerns with anger.
2019: The Brothers Distance Themselves
In April 2019, Harry and Meghan moved from Kensington Palace to their renovated home Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. Two months later, it became known that the Sussexes were leaving the Royal Foundation charity organization, where they had been involved with William and Kate.
In October, Harry publicly confirmed problems with his brother for the first time in an ITV documentary. "When you have this role and this job and are part of this family that is under such pressure, things inevitably happen," he said. "But look, we are brothers, we will always be brothers. And even though we are certainly going different ways right now, I will always be there for him - just as I know he will always be there for me."
For their son Archie's first Christmas, who was born in May 2019, Harry and Meghan skipped the traditional royal celebrations in Sandringham. They retreated to Canada and celebrated with Meghan's mother Doria Ragland (69).
2020: The "Megxit"
In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced they would be stepping back from their duties as members of the royal household. Rumors of a brother dispute immediately circulated. William and Harry subsequently issued a joint statement to refute this.
At their last official appearance as active royals, Meghan and Harry attended the Commonwealth Day service in March. Shortly after, the couple moved to California.
In September, the Sussexes signed a deal with Netflix. Concerns grew in the palace that confidential internal matters could become public.
Robert Lacey later wrote in his book "Battle of Brothers" that William had asked Charles Spencer (62), the brother of Princess Diana (1961-1997), for support. Harry is said to have been annoyed about this. The conflict between the brothers deepened further.
2021: The Oprah Interview
In March 2021, an interview with Oprah Winfrey (72) made headlines worldwide. Harry and Meghan spoke openly about their life as royals. They also made allegations of racism against an unnamed member of the royal family.
Harry stated at the time that he and William were keeping their "distance" from each other. "I love William to bits. He's my brother. But we're on different paths." William later contradicted the allegations and said the royal family is "very much not a racist family."
For the funeral of his grandfather Prince Philip (1921-2021), Harry traveled to Great Britain a few weeks later. Cameras captured William and Harry leaving the chapel together after the ceremony. However, only Kate seemed to be talking to Harry.
In July, the brothers met again. The occasion was the unveiling of a Diana statue at Kensington Palace on what would have been her 60th birthday.
2022: Return to England
For Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, Harry and Meghan returned to England in June 2022. Their children also traveled with them. Daughter Lilibet had been born in June 2021. However, the children did not appear publicly. The Sussexes themselves were only seen at two events in the background and then traveled back to California.
At the Queen's funeral in September, the brothers' estrangement became particularly evident. The "Guardian" reported at the time that there was no eye contact and no mutual acknowledgment. There were also no friendly gestures between Kate and Meghan.
In December, the Sussexes followed up with the Netflix documentary "Harry & Meghan." Harry indirectly criticized his father Charles and his brother William. Many family members choose partners who fit the mold, he said. He himself had chosen with his heart.
2023: "Spare" Escalates the Conflict
In January 2023, Harry's autobiography "Spare" was published. Many passages revolved around William. Among other things, Harry described a 2019 argument about his relationship with Meghan that allegedly resulted in a physical altercation.
Shortly after publication, it became known that Harry and Meghan had to vacate Frogmore Cottage. According to media reports, King Charles is said to have made the decision.
At his coronation on May 6, 2023, the monarch's sons again kept their distance from each other. Harry only stayed briefly in London and then flew back to California, where son Archie celebrated his fourth birthday. Shortly thereafter, according to reports from the "Times," a joint portrait of the brothers was removed from the National Portrait Gallery.
2024: Hope and New Tensions
After King Charles's cancer diagnosis, Harry offered his support in February 2024, which his brother is said to have rejected. The Duke of Sussex traveled to London to visit his father for a brief meeting. A meeting with William did not materialize.
In May, a trip by Harry and Meghan to Nigeria caused new trouble. Royal expert Tom Quinn told the "Mirror" that the visit had resembled an official state visit. William and Charles were said to be "furious" about it.
In August, the brothers met again at the funeral service for their uncle Robert Fellowes (1941-2024). They allegedly did not exchange a word with each other. Friends of the Spencer family - Fellowes was married to Diana's sister Jane (69) - nevertheless interpreted William's appearance despite Harry's presence as a glimmer of hope, according to media reports.
In September 2024, Harry also unexpectedly received public birthday wishes from Charles, William, and Kate for his 40th birthday, who congratulated him on their social media channels.
At the same time, Harry's legal battle over police protection in Great Britain continued to strain his relationship with the family. Royal biographer Robert Hardman described the situation according to "The Telegraph" as follows: "You have here the unfortunate situation where the King's son is suing the King's ministers in the King's courts."
2025: The Desire for Reconciliation
In May 2025, Harry reaffirmed his desire for reconciliation in a BBC interview. "I would love a reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight. Life is precious." About his father, he said at that time that he wasn't speaking to him because of the dispute over security protection. Harry also admitted that some family members might never forgive him for his book. Nevertheless, he hoped for a fresh start.
In September 2025, there was finally another meeting between Harry and King Charles. The two met at Clarence House in London for tea. The conversation lasted 55 minutes.
What was discussed is not known. However, the year 2026 could now possibly mark the beginning of a reconciliation.
