The holidays are a time for many loved ones to get together and reflect on the events of the past year. And, for the royal family, quite a year it has been. Between Princess Kate and King Charles III’s cancer diagnoses and all those who have stepped up to support them, 2024 has been an eventful journey. The royals have already commenced their festive engagements, from Kate’s annual “Together at Christmas” carol concert to Charles and Queen Consort Camilla sending out their holiday card, taking any opportunity to share their gratitude and appreciation for one another. Although these events have been cozy, family is a bit of a bittersweet topic for the Windsors, especially Prince William, who has been in a years-long feud with his younger brother, Prince Harry. And, apparently, William and Kate have different views on the royal rift.
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According to Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent Katie Nicholl who spoke to The Sun, Kate is pushing for peace and forgiveness between the two men, likely as a result of her new outlook on life amid her cancer battle. However, William is hesitant, as he is still upset with his brother.
“I think the Prince of Wales remains very, very angry and upset and feels very betrayed,” Nicholl told the outlet. “Possibly the Princess of Wales is still open to a reconciliation in some form. I still feel it’s quite early. But I do think when you go through something like a cancer diagnosis and you go through the sort of journey that she has done, and you confront your own mortality, you realize life is short.”
Nicholl continued, “It’s far too short for rifts and family feuds.”
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The expert also added that mending William and Harry’s relationship will be beneficial for public perception of the family.
“And perhaps that will be a role that she will play at some point in healing that rift, because I think we look to the Royal Family as a symbol of unity,” Nicholl said.
She said that the togetherness of the holidays presents a great opportunity for reconciliation.
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“We will want to see them together at Christmas. This will be the sixth Christmas that Harry won’t have been a part of,” Nicholl said. “I do think it’s important. It may be that people are making these comments on social media where you’re talking about togetherness, talking about empathy, what’s going on in your own family, and they are at risk of that happening.”
Nicholl offered that Kate is a role model of sorts and someone “who has always led by example.”
“I was talking to sources close to the princess and to William, who said, ‘Never give up hope, there’s always a chance,’ but of course it’s always in the timing,” she concluded.
While things have long been sour between William and Harry, their tensions are starting to take a toll on other royal family members, namely Princess Eugenie. Eugenie has found herself in a tug-of-war of sorts and reportedly felt she was in a “difficult spot” back in October. Most recently, she was reportedly invited to spend Christmas with Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, after also being welcomed to royal Christmas celebrations at Sandringham. She is apparently looking for a way to balance both obligations.
