Prince Harry reportedly contacted Prince William recently in the hopes of reconciling with his estranged older brother.

The Duke of Sussex, who previously said he wants his brother "back" in his life, is believed to have reached out to the Prince of Wales before flying to London last month to see King Charles III following their father's cancer diagnosis, People reported.

However, the two brothers made "no plans" to meet up in person during Prince Harry's most recent return to his home country.

People cited an unnamed former courtier as saying that Prince William's "principal concern" at the time was his wife, Kate Middleton, who was recovering from the abdominal surgery she underwent less than three weeks prior.

After a brief meeting with his father at Clarence House, Prince Harry flew back to California without visiting Prince William and Princess Kate.


"It would be the normal run of things to go and see your sister-in-law who's had a serious operation and also see your niece and nephews. But it isn't normal. It's terribly sad," an unnamed source close to the royal household told the outlet.

Another anonymous palace insider told the magazine that while the royals are "a high-profile family," they "still have a lot of the same issues as everyone else."

"Charles: The Heart of a King" author Catherine Mayer suggested to the outlet that the lack of interaction between the brothers was evidence that there remains an "open sore" following Prince Harry's royal exit and bombshell tell-all book and docuseries.

"The family torment is an open sore," the royal biographer said. "There is such a profound breach there."

Royal author Robert Lacey echoed her sentiments, telling People: "This is all to do with William's wish to protect the institution of the monarchy, which he feels Harry can't be trusted with. I don't think William will ever agree to readmission of Harry into the family unless he clearly apologizes and moves forward."

Royal commentator and Daily Mail columnist Maureen Callahan previously shared a grim prediction regarding the siblings' relationship.

In a piece for the Daily Mail, the royal expert claimed that the lack of meeting between the brothers last month showed "there is no hope of reconciliation" even amid their father's health crisis.

Callahan predicted Prince Harry might be completely "cut off" from the royal family when Prince William ascends to the throne.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry's recent reunion with King Charles reportedly set the father and son on the path of reconciliation.

An unnamed palace insider told People that this was the beginning of the "baby steps" the Duke of Sussex and his father are taking to fix their strained relationship.

"I'm sure it was emotionally draining for both of them, but it was a step in the right direction. It was a positive move," the source claimed.


Prince Harry shared some details about the trip during an interview with "Good Morning America's" Will Reeve last month.

The royal shared that he spoke with his father and returned to the U.K. to see him shortly after learning about his diagnosis.

Prince Harry added, "Look, I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I'm grateful for that."


Tags
Prince William, Prince Harry