The British royal family’s ongoing rift has once again captured the world’s attention, with new insights emerging about the deep-seated mistrust and emotional distance between Prince William and Prince Harry. According to recent reports and commentary from royal experts, the relationship between the once-close brothers remains fractured, with little hope for imminent reconciliation. At the heart of the divide, many observers say, is the presence of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, whose role in the family’s turmoil has been described as both pivotal and controversial.
On August 20, 2025, royal expert Hilary Fordwich spoke to Fox News Digital, revealing that Prince William and other members of the royal family feel a "persistent lack of trust" toward Meghan Markle. Fordwich claimed, "Their concerns are well-founded. Any private family discussions could become public or be used for commercial projects." This sentiment, she argued, is not just a fleeting worry but a fundamental barrier preventing any meaningful reconciliation between the siblings.
The Prince of Wales, William, reportedly shares this deep mistrust. The source of his concern? A fear that anything said in confidence could end up in the public domain, potentially as part of a book, documentary, or interview. The family’s anxieties are not unfounded, given the couple’s history of revealing personal and sometimes controversial details about royal life in their various media projects.
The breakdown in trust, Fordwich explained, is compounded by what she perceives as Meghan Markle’s lack of commitment to the monarchy. "Meghan Markle has no sense of duty toward the British public or the institution," Fordwich asserted, suggesting that Markle’s approach to royal life fundamentally clashes with the expectations and values held by the rest of the family. For William, this difference in outlook has made it nearly impossible to rebuild the relationship with his younger brother.
Fordwich went further, stating that she does not "see any kind of reparation" in the future between William and Harry. The main reason, she said, is that "Harry thinks that William insulted Meghan," and this perceived slight has created a level of animosity that is "really hard" to overcome. The wounds, it seems, are still raw on both sides.
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, echoed these sentiments in her own remarks to Fox News Digital. She described Meghan Markle as "the flea in the ointment" in the brothers’ strained dynamic. Seward contended that Markle is "intensely disliked by a large number of the monarchists of this country" and is seen as "very damaging to the royal family." For those who cherish royal tradition, Markle’s presence and actions have been deeply unsettling.
Seward also pointed to Meghan’s strained relationships not only with her husband’s family but with her own. She noted that "she has disrespected both her husband’s family and her own family over the years," and highlighted the fact that neither Prince Archie, age 6, nor Princess Lilibet, age 4, have ever met their maternal grandfather, Thomas Markle Sr. This, Seward said, is considered "a black mark" on Meghan’s life by many observers and has added another layer of controversy to the family drama.
The estrangement between the brothers is not new. As both Fordwich and Seward confirmed, William and Harry have been distant since Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal roles in 2020 and relocated to Montecito, California. The couple’s move across the Atlantic, combined with their decision to share private family stories in books, series, and interviews, has only deepened the rift. According to reports, the brothers have not spoken to each other for more than two years—a silence that speaks volumes about the current state of their relationship.
The impact of Harry and Meghan’s media projects cannot be overstated. Their willingness to discuss intimate and sometimes painful family matters in public has, according to Fordwich, "completely broken" the trust between Harry and the rest of the royal family. The fear that private conversations could be repurposed for public consumption or commercial gain has made it nearly impossible for the family to communicate openly with Harry and Meghan.
Yet, despite the bleak outlook painted by royal commentators, there are still glimmers of hope—at least from Harry’s perspective. In May 2025, during an interview with BBC News, Harry expressed his wish for a fresh start with his family. "I would love reconciliation with my family after so many disagreements [and] differences for which they may never forgive me," he said. This candid admission revealed both his regret over the fallout and his desire to mend fences, even if the path forward appears uncertain.
Recent reports from July 2025 suggest that Harry is actively working on "deconflicting" with his loved ones. However, the obstacles remain formidable. The combination of lingering resentment, public scrutiny, and the ever-present risk of further leaks or revelations has left both sides wary of making the first move. For William and much of the royal establishment, the trust deficit is simply too large to bridge at present.
It’s worth noting that the public’s perception of Meghan Markle remains sharply divided. While some admire her independence and willingness to speak out, others—particularly among traditional monarchists—see her as a disruptive force. Seward’s characterization of Markle as "very damaging to the royal family" reflects a broader sentiment among those who feel the institution has been undermined by recent events.
Meanwhile, the Sussexes’ new life in California continues. Harry and Meghan, who married in 2018, are raising their two children, Archie and Lilibet, far from the royal spotlight. Their decision to chart their own course has brought them both freedom and controversy, as they navigate the challenges of life outside the royal fold.
As for the future, it remains to be seen whether the brothers will ever reconcile. The emotional barriers are high, and the mistrust—especially toward Meghan Markle—runs deep. Still, Harry’s public overtures suggest that, at least on his side, the door to reconciliation is not entirely closed. Whether William and the rest of the royal family are willing to take that first step remains one of the most watched and debated questions in royal circles today.
For now, the royal family’s divisions are an enduring reminder of how personal grievances, public scrutiny, and the pressures of tradition can collide in ways that are difficult to resolve—even for those born into the world’s most famous family.
