The long-standing rift between Prince William and Prince Harry may find a potential bridge in the van Straubenzee brothers, Thomas and Charlie, according to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams. The brothers, who have been close confidantes to both princes for decades, are seen as uniquely positioned to help reconcile the estranged royals.
Thomas van Straubenzee, 44, has been Prince William's best friend for over three decades, while his younger brother Charlie, 38, has been a close companion to Prince Harry, attending events from rugby matches to his wedding. Fitzwilliams suggested that if the brothers joined forces, they could achieve the “most extraordinary feat” of bringing William and Harry back together.
Prince Harry recently returned to the UK for an extended stay after six years in Montecito, California, where he lived with his wife Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The Sussexes are reportedly settling into a non-royal residence outside London, with their children enrolled in UK schools.
While Prince William has previously avoided direct encounters with his younger brother when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the King, his return to the UK presents a situation where avoiding his brother may become more difficult, particularly given their shared social circles.
Fitzwilliams noted that while other friends, such as the Duke of Westminster Hugh Grosvenor, former nightclub owner Guy Pelly, and royal equerry Mark Dyer, also have strong connections to both princes, the van Straubenzee brothers possess a unique advantage. Thomas is especially close to William, and Charlie to Harry, making them “obvious mediators.”
The van Straubenzee family has historically provided a sense of a second family to both princes, offering a refuge during difficult times, such as the split between their parents, Charles and Diana. The brothers themselves have deep personal connections to both William and Harry, including shared godchildren and family events.
Thomas van Straubenzee acted as Prince William's 'real best man' at his 2011 wedding to Kate Middleton, delivering a speech. He is also godfather to Princess Charlotte, and William is godfather to Thomas's daughter Mary. Both Thomas and Charlie were ushers at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018, with Charlie delivering a speech. Harry is godfather to Charlie's daughter Clover, and Charlie is godfather to Prince Archie.
Despite Prince Harry's relocation to Montecito, the brothers have maintained contact. Charlie van Straubenzee visited Harry in California in May 2022, and the pair were photographed riding bicycles together.
The estrangement between William and Harry has reportedly persisted since Queen Elizabeth's funeral in September 2022, with no contact believed to have occurred for over two and a half years. Prince Harry has expressed a desire to end the conflict, stating in a past BBC interview that there is “no point in continuing to fight any more.”
However, reconciliation efforts may face challenges. Friends of the Prince and Princess of Wales have reportedly indicated an inability to forgive the Sussexes for statements made after 'Megxit' in 2020, including claims in Harry's memoir 'Spare' about a physical altercation with William.
Hope for a reunion has been placed on events related to The Diana Award, a charity patronized by both princes, which marks the upcoming 30th anniversary of Princess Diana's death. Prince William is not currently scheduled to attend an upcoming event hosted by the charity, and it remains unknown if the Sussexes will be present.