KEY POINTS
- Prince William is cautious and hesitant to talk to Prince Harry despite their seemingly friendly reunion at the funeral, a report says
- William reportedly has "some very strong feelings" about Harry and Meghan Markle's claims in their interview
- Prince Harry is expected to have "conversations" with the royal family regarding their claims
Prince William has not fully forgiven his younger brother, Prince Harry, yet for his and Meghan Markle's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey last month, according to a report.
Prince Harry was spotted chatting and walking with Prince William and Kate Middleton after their grandfather Prince Philip's funeral Saturday. But while body language expert Judi James believes they had a "genuine moment of unity," an unnamed source told Vanity Fair that there is a long way to go before the tensions caused by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's tell-all ease.
"It was a case of being told to put their differences aside by the Queen for the sake of the family," the source said of the funeral.
Prince William and other members of the royal family had reportedly been incensed over Prince Harry and Markle's claims during their CBS interview. But Prince Harry's return could mean the start of bridges being mended.
"William and other members of the family have some very strong feelings about some of the things Harry and Meghan said on Oprah and things need to be talked through, but this was not the occasion and everyone respected that. It's going to take more than a wake to sort things out, but this is hopefully a start," the insider added.
Prince Harry was reportedly nervous about returning to the U.K. for the first time in over a year. He had apparently encountered frostiness from the royal family due to the interview, per the source.
"Harry was out in the cold after Oprah and then when details of private family conversations were leaked to Gayle King it was the final straw," an unnamed family friend explained to Vanity Fair. "Some family members cannot believe what he has done, but there is a feeling that with the Duke's death and the family coming together, conversations need to be had."
The brothers only met on Saturday morning, right before the funeral, the report said. Prince Harry had the chance to meet with his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II at the garden of Frogmore Cottage while Her Majesty was walking her new puppies Friday. Meanwhile, Prince Charles was "desperate" to reconcile with Prince Harry and spent time with his youngest son after the funeral service, according to the source.
But Prince William is more cautious and hesitant, a source told the outlet, but he is also hoping that their strained relationship will improve over time.
"William needs to know he can trust Harry and that private conversations will stay private," the source added.
It’s not known how much time Prince Harry and Prince William have to talk because the Duke of Sussex is eager to fly back to Los Angeles and be reunited with his pregnant wife, according to reports. An unnamed source earlier told Page Six that Prince Harry will be returning to the U.S. shortly after the funeral.
The Duchess of Sussex did not attend Prince Philip's funeral because her doctors advised her against taking the trip. Also, Prince Harry and Markle were taking precautionary measures seriously after Markle suffered a miscarriage last year.
Prince William and Prince Harry attend the opening of the Greenhouse Sports Centre on April 26, 2018, in London. Photo: Getty Images/Toby Melville
