Prince Harry lightened the mood with a joke about “challenging” siblings while attending a reception in the UK on Monday, a comment that comes amid his ongoing strained relationship with his brother, Prince William.
While speaking with 17-year-old WellChild Award winner Declan Bitmead, Harry asked if his younger brother drove him mad, to which Bitmead responded they got along fine. Harry then joked, “You know what, siblings,” before adding, “That sometimes makes it more challenging” after learning the two brothers attended the same school.
Harry, who has been a patron of WellChild since 2007, reflected on his own family dynamics in his 2023 memoir Spare. He described a painful moment from his youth when William distanced himself while they both attended Eton College. “When we’re at school, we don’t know each other,” Harry recalled William telling him, a remark that left him hurt and confused.
The brothers have been estranged for years, and recent hopes for reconciliation were dashed earlier this week. Kensington Palace confirmed that William, 43, would be busy with royal engagements during Harry’s visit to the UK, preventing any potential meetings.
Harry, 40, traveled to the UK solo, without his wife, Meghan Markle, or their children, Archie and Lilibet. While in town, Harry is set to announce a significant donation to Children in Need for their work combating youth violence.
Despite the ongoing distance, a friend of Harry’s mentioned that he hopes to reconnect with his family in the UK, particularly for the sake of his children. “He wants to show them where he grew up and introduce them to their family here,” the friend said.
