The future of Prince William and Prince Harry's relationship hangs in the balance as Harry has landed back on British soil but a reunion is yet to take place following years of estrangement. However, the brothers, who were born 27 months apart, once shared a very close bond.
In 2017, Princess Kate sat down with William and Harry for an open and honest conversation around mental health, for their joint Heads Together charity campaign, and they touched on their close relationship. Kate also remarked how "lucky" they were to grow up in that family.
© Nicky J Sims"Considering everything that you boys sadly went through and the trauma that you experienced…. I do think it's incredible how strong and how you've been able to cope really and I put that down to your really early years childhood experience but also the relationship that you've got. You're amazingly close," said Kate.
Then William jokingly interjected with the quip: "Most of the time!" She then stressed the point: "Some families sadly aren't as lucky as you guys have been."
William added: "We have been brought closer because of the circumstances as well that's the thing you know you are uniquely bonded because of what we've been through."
Prince Harry's heartfelt words
In 2005, Prince Harry also spoke about their bond after the tragedy of their mother's death: "It's amazing how close we've become. Ever since our mother died, obviously we were close. But he is the one person on this Earth who I can actually, really, we can talk about anything. We understand each other, we give each other support, and everything's fine."
© Getty ImagesHowever, fast forward to Harry's memoir, Spare, which was published in 2013, and Harry gave an honest account of his contradictory relationship with William, describing him as both his "beloved brother" and his "arch-nemesis" within the book, with a lot of the rivalry being set up due to William being the heir and Harry being "the spare".
William forced to face the music
Until now, William and Harry have lived in different countries, but Harry's shock relocation sets them up for a reunion, explains royal expert Katie Nicholl.
© Getty ImagesThe author of The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy and the Future of the Crown tells HELLO!: "In many ways, Harry's really got William over a barrel because it will be very difficult with them being geographically so much closer and Harry being welcomed back into the royal fold by his father, at least, for William to be adamant that there will be no reconciliation."
