More than six years after Prince Harry stepped down from royal duties, the relationship between the Duke of Sussex and his estranged brother, Prince William, remains strained. However, body language expert Judi James suggests that despite public fallouts, a core connection persists between the siblings.
During moments of shared public duty, such as observing the floral tributes outside Windsor Castle following the late Queen's death in 2022, James noted instances of what she described as Harry's "sense of respect" for his grieving brother. "Harry rose to the occasion here by very elegantly allowing William and his wife the right of way," James told the Daily Mail. She observed Harry appearing to revert to his former role as William's "wing man," even subtly choreographing his and Meghan Markle's movements to allow William and Kate Middleton their "personal moment of reflection."
James also pointed to "enduring mirroring" between the brothers, a characteristic observed since their late teens. This mirroring, seen in unified step, posture, and identical poses with heads bowed, suggests a deep-seated synchronicity. "Sibling relationships are notoriously complex and this one more than most, but the suggestion is that ties are still there despite all the very public fallouts," James stated.
Despite past conflicts, including the "truth bombs" dropped by the Sussexes in interviews, a shared commitment to honoring their late mother, Princess Diana, is cited as a potential unifying factor. Authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, in their biography Finding Freedom, recounted a close friend of Prince Harry's saying, "Both brothers are deeply devoted to carrying on their mother's legacy and no amount of hurt feelings would ever get in the way of that."
However, differing approaches to remembering Diana have also been noted, such as at the 2021 unveiling of her statue. While the event was intended to celebrate her life, it was later classified as a private affair, reportedly due to tensions between the brothers and Harry's media control efforts.
In the immediate aftermath of the late Queen's death, the brothers participated in several public engagements together. These moments, which included walking behind the Queen's coffin and interacting during services, were seen by some experts and fans as a potential turning point. Yet, veteran royal correspondent Robert Jobson described this perceived rapprochement as an "illusion," noting it marked the last time the four – once dubbed the "Fab four" – appeared together publicly.
Rumors of potential reconciliation persist, with sources suggesting that communication between the brothers exists. Friends have expressed hope for a future public appearance together, believing it could "completely change the narrative." They note Harry's personal growth, particularly since having children, and a general shift in sentiment about him. "It’s one step at a time," one friend commented.