Prince Harry and Prince William face 'chaotic' reunion after years of bitter silence
Prince William and Prince Harry could come face to face at an upcoming royal wedding, despite their ongoing rift.
The two warring brothers have reportedly not spoken for years, despite Harry expressing his desire for a reconciliation with his family.
Those close to William, however, have shut down the chance of healing deep wounds, citing Harry's years of public attacks against the royal family. It comes after reports that William was 'human shield' in tense moment between Princess Kate and Meghan.
But the feuding siblings both look set to receive an invitation to the wedding of their cousin, Peter Philips. Peter - Princess Anne's son - announced his engagement to pediatric nurse Harriet Sperling on 1 August, saying at the time that William and his wife, along with King Charles and Queen Camilla, had been informed of the happy news prior to the official announcement.
Peter and Harriet are yet to announce their wedding date but speculation over the guest list is already rife, and the happy day may see both Harry and William with the event in their calendar.
Peter - the late Queen's eldest grandchild - and his sister Zara grew up with both William and Harry, and was very close to the brothers.
However, Harry's attacks on the royal family in recent years has left him practically estranged from the Firm, and it is thought that if only one Prince attends, it will be William.
According to Hello magazine's royal correspondent Danielle Stacey, Peter and William have a close relationship. "Peter has been viewed as a supportive older brother figure to Prince William, and the pair have held a close relationship since childhood," she said.
"Peter previously said of his cousins that there was 'quite a gang of us' and they 'caused quite a bit of mayhem and chaos'."
It's not the first time that William and Harry have faced an awkward wedding invite clash. Harry reportedly chose to skip the June 2024 wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, and Olivia Henson, which William attended as an usher.
The couple also recently welcomed their first child - and it seems likely that the future king will be the one to be a godparent.
Jennie Bond told the Mirror: "As with a marriage break-up, many of William and Harry's friends have been left feeling obliged to take sides. Hugh was good friends with both William and Harry but, since the brothers' dramatic rift, the Duke Of Westminster has had to navigate a tricky path.
"And it seems he has largely sided with William, (at least in public). It was William who was invited to the big wedding, he was an usher, and William who stood alongside Hugh and his new wife Olivia cheering on Aston Villa in their exciting Champions League quarter final."
READ MORE: Prince Harry's 'sadness' at losing out to Prince William is 'price to pay' in bitter rift
Given the Duke's long history with William, Jennie believes: "If there is to be a royal godfather to the couple's newborn daughter, the likelihood is that it will be William. There's already lots of 'cross pollination' between the families as far as godparents are concerned, so it seems likely that William will be asked."
She continued: "These awkward decisions are made slightly easier by the fact that Harry lives so far away, with no prospect of ever moving back to the UK. And that's not the ideal way to carry out any godparenting duties.
"So I think Harry will understand if he is left out and William is chosen as godfather. But it must still be rather sad for him to see his once close friends carrying on their lives without him, while William continues to enjoy the warmth and fun of their friendship. It is, however, the price he has to pay for making such damaging allegations and causing such a bitter rift with his family."
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Scottish Sun
37 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Harry's response to charity row is typically him – blame others and then flounce off instead of trying to fix things
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PRINCE Harry has flounced out – yet again. This time, not from the monarchy. Not from a podcast deal. Not from the Army, that many believe he quit too soon. 6 Prince Harry's response to the Sentebale row is typically him Credit: PA:Press Association 6 Harry exited the charity following an ugly row with the chair of trustees, Dr Sophie Chandauka Credit: PA 6 Harry co-founded the charity in memory of his mother, Princess Diana Credit: PA:Press Association This time, from Sentebale – the worthy African children's charity he co-founded in memory of his mother, Princess Diana. Once a passion project. Now just another scorched bridge. The exit wasn't quiet or dignified. It followed an ugly row with the chair of trustees, Dr Sophie Chandauka, a punchy Zimbabwean-born lawyer and major donor. Several trustees stepped down, too. What followed was familiar: leaked emails, bullying allegations, duelling statements and headlines Harry tried — and failed — to control. Now comes the Charity Commission's verdict: No laws broken. But the rebuke was clear: governance failures, damaging behaviour and a serious lack of leadership. Harry insists he was forced out. That the chair was impossible to work with. That the environment had turned toxic. What else could he do? Harry always throws toys out of pram - latest charity move is childish But leadership isn't about walking away when the mood turns. In any serious institution — royalty, the boardroom or charity — you don't storm out. You stay in the room. You resolve the problem for the greater good. Instead, Harry bailed. Same old story. And like so many of his recent exits, this one fits the pattern. When pressure mounts and compromise is needed, he withdraws. Rather than engage, Harry flushed red and scarpered back to the luxury of Montecito, and Megs to mop his furrowed brow Robert It's a shame. Because Sentebale mattered. Founded in 2006, it provides long-term support to children in Lesotho and Botswana affected by HIV and poverty. It wasn't a vanity project. It was purposeful — touching the lives of 100,000 youngsters — and at one point, so was Harry. I travelled to Lesotho with him twice. I saw the work up close. Those children in need of help didn't see him as a prince. They saw someone who listened, who cared, somebody who came back. His presence wasn't performative. It was real. His royal rank and media profile opened doors. His conviction helped break stigma of HIV/AIDS, just as his late mother had done right at the outset of the fight. For years, he gave Sentebale visibility and momentum. It was, without question, his most meaningful contribution. But cracks appeared. His decision to quit royal life was costly. In 2023, Dr Chandauka initiated a financial review. She flagged a sharp drop in donations following Harry's withdrawal from royal duties; income fell to £2.39million in 2020, though later rebounded. She reportedly labelled his image a 'reputational risk' and raised questions about whether he was now more liability than asset. Rather than engage, Harry flushed red and scarpered back to the luxury of Montecito, and Megs to mop his furrowed brow. No formal rebuttal. No quiet diplomacy. No attempt to repair. He threw his toys out of the pram. He could have shown resolve, offered solutions, and strengthened the structure. Instead, he vanished. And that's what makes this so frustrating. Harry had no shortage of templates to help lead through turbulence. His grandfather, Prince Philip, oversaw the Duke of Edinburgh's Award for more than six decades — often in silence, always with rigour. His son Edward, the new Duke, is its leader. His father, King Charles, spent years building The Prince's Trust — now the King's Trust — from a niche programme into a national institution. 6 Harry listens to American PR consultants and is guided, above all, by his Duchess, Meghan Markle Credit: Instagram His sister-in-law, Catherine, champions important causes such as early years development with longevity, consistency and focus. His brother, William, leads Earthshot, a well-structured mission with financial backing. None of them walked out mid-crisis. They worked through it. Harry could have done the same. He could have stayed on the board in a non-executive role. Helped recruit new trustees. Brought in independent mediators. Stabilised the organisation rather than adding to the unrest. But that would have required discipline — and a willingness to listen. 'Squandered legacy' Instead, he defaulted to the same script: leave, blame, reposition. And this time, the people most affected weren't palace courtiers or out-of-pocket podcast executives. They were the children of Lesotho — many living with HIV, others orphaned, some still stigmatised. Those were the ones who stood to lose most. The pattern goes back further. His early exit from the Army — ten solid years of exemplary service, but he chose not to be a career soldier and go on, to rise further through the ranks and gain his braided uniforms on merit rather than royal birthright. His abrupt departure from working royal life. His mudslinging. His family ties frayed. Promises to reinvent himself in California have mostly yielded media spats, stalled projects and carefully lit documentaries. What's missing is institutional maturity. And staying power. This isn't about empathy or charisma; Harry has plenty of both. But he's never learned to sit with discomfort, to fix what's failing. Instead, he blames. Then bails. Since relocating to Montecito, his inner circle of advisers has narrowed. 6 The Prince defaulted to the same script: leave, blame, reposition, pictured with charity leaders and Dr Chandauka far right Credit: Getty He listens to American PR consultants and is guided, above all, by his Duchess, Meghan Markle — who built her brand around control and survival, not compromise or tradition. The problem is that leadership — particularly in the charitable sector — requires grit, continuity and people willing to challenge you, not flatter you. It's not that Dr Chandauka is beyond reproach. Under her tenure, annual accounts remain unpublished, and the next set is delayed until 2025. She may face valid questions. But here's the telling detail: the Commission didn't ask her to go. She stayed. Harry didn't. Now his team says Harry will support African kids 'in new ways.' In practice, that means nothing. His seat at the Sentebale table is empty. His voice, once essential, is absent. It's the institutional equivalent of ghosting. And this wasn't just another cause. This was personal. A living tribute to his mother. One of the few initiatives he helped build from the ground up. He could have pushed for reform. Brought in fresh trustees. Set a better standard. The Harry I saw in Lesotho back in 2006 –- he had a purpose. A spark. A sense of something larger than himself. Now, all we're left with is another clean break, and another promise unkept Robert The options were there. What they didn't need was drama. What they couldn't survive was abandonment. This isn't scandal. It's waste. A squandered legacy. A cautionary tale. Another institution left to sweep up the debris of brand-driven burnout. The headlines will fade. The charity may recover. But something has shifted. The Harry I saw in Lesotho back in 2006 –- he had a purpose. A spark. A sense of something larger than himself. Now, all we're left with is another clean break, and another promise unkept. When Harry chose the name Sentebale, it meant forget-me-not — a tribute to Diana and her favourite flowers. It was a promise never to let her memory fade. Well, sadly, it looks like he's done just that. Robert Jobson is a royal editor and the No1 bestselling author of Catherine, The Princess of Wales – The Biography
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Sarah Ferguson's extravagant spending habits back in focus with new book
Sarah Ferguson's extravagant spending habits back in focus with new book The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, lived a life of "opulent excess" during her marriage to Prince Andrew, spending wildly on staff, holidays, parties and flowers, and even saw the late Queen bail her out on several occasions The book contains explosive allegations about the Duchess' financial and love life (Image: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis, Corbis via Getty Images) The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, known as Fergie, had her debts amounting to hundreds of thousands of pounds cleared by the late Queen after living a lifestyle of "opulent excess", reveals a new explosive biography. Read here about a cancer update from King Charles It's alleged that during her marriage to Prince Andrew, Fergie spent extravagantly on staff, holidays, parties and flowers, with little consideration for paying bills. Ferguson, who was married to the now-disgraced Duke of York from 1986 to 1996, received financial assistance on "several occasions", says esteemed historian Andrew Lownie. This included a payment of £500,000 in April 1994 when Coutts bank "demanded £500,000 within 14 days". Read here to see what King Charles thinks of Harry and Meghan's latest move The book claims the Duchess would demand feasts "that would make Henry VIII proud" everyday, though there were just here two daughters at the dinner table (Image: Karwai Tang, WireImagevia Getty Images) The biography, 'Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the Yorks', provides a shocking glimpse into the Duke and Duchess' "hedonistic life, controversial friendships and secretive money-making endeavours." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Lownie's work, said to be based on four years of research and numerous interviews, suggests that Ferguson's time as a Royal was characterised by "marked by ambition and financial recklessness," reports the Mirror. The Duchess is said to have splurged hundreds of thousands of pounds on Royal staff, hiring foreign villas and insisting on security for her daughters, Eugenie and Beatrice. Lownie notes: "The bubbly young redhead was initially seen as a breath of fresh air when she married him in 1986, but her exploitation of her royal status to make money has seen her join her ex-husband as a hugely diminished figure." Despite numerous unsuccessful business endeavours, frequently capitalising on her Royal status, including lending her name to a retirement home chain that collapsed, Ferguson allegedly owed more than £3.7 million by 1994. Lownie reveals "she needed bank approval to pay even modest cheques. But even then, according to a member of her staff, she always believed there would be 'a deal around the corner' that would solve all her problems". The author, who has penned several works about the royal family including Prince Philip's uncle Lord Mountbatten and King Edward VIII, who famously abdicated after less than a year in 1936, claims Fergie became notorious for accumulating enormous bills on credit at establishments like Harrods without settling them. Lownie documents: "She also found 'ways and means of getting around her financial restrictions'. For example, Mohamed Al-Fayed, owner of Harrods, never pressed her to settle her account at the store, a practice she exploited elsewhere. "A former employee confided: 'These accounts just never get paid, somehow. The shops don't complain because of who she is, or they never used to.'" One newspaper piece saw her former partner and financial adviser John Bryan disclose that Fergie's estimated £860,000 yearly spending encompassed £300,000 on staff, £150,000 on gifts, £50,000 on flowers, £50,000 on parties, £150,000 on travel and £100,000 on clothes - £25,000 of it during a single hour's shopping spree at Bloomingdales. The bombshell book makes further claims about the Duchess's financial dealings, including how friends often lent her money without ever being fully repaid. It is alleged that one individual who had loaned her £100,000 for a holiday in the South of France considered taking legal action at the High Court "after she paid back only £5,000, claiming she understood the rest to be a gift". The tome goes on to detail accusations of the Duchess's lavish expenditures, such as spending £14,000 in a single month with a London wine merchant and enjoying opulent getaways to destinations like "Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Poland and four trips to America", where she would typically stay at the plush Carlyle Hotel with rooms starting at £330 per night. Author Andrew Lownie recounts additional tales of excess, including trips to New York during which she reportedly used one car for herself "and another for her ten suitcases". The narrative also includes an anecdote about her assistant, Christine Gallagher, who was once dispatched on the Concorde at a cost of £5,000 simply to deliver some documents to the Duchess. In response to the financial controversies surrounding the Duchess post-divorce from the Duke of York, Buckingham Palace issued a statement in 1996 declaring: "The Duchess's financial affairs are no longer Her Majesty's concern but matters which the Duchess of York must discuss and resolve with her bankers and other financial advisers." However, further financial missteps were uncovered, including thousands of unpaid bills to personal shoppers, the late Queen's personal mail service, and allegations of irregularities with charity funds from The Sarah Ferguson Foundation. Post-divorce, the Duchess embarked on a series of money-making endeavours, leveraging her Royal connections. This included accepting £100,000 in 1997 from Austrian construction tycoon, Richard Lugner, to inaugurate a shopping centre in Vienna, sign books, and accompany him to the Vienna Opera Ball. That same year, she became the first Royal to endorse a product on television, promoting Ocean Spray cranberry drink for a fee of $500,000 (£376,000). With an advance on her memoirs that year, coupled with substantial income from a £500,000 deal with WeightWatchers, Fergie attempted to settle debts despite reportedly owing £1.6 million in taxes. A dismissed staff member also disclosed to Lownie the "greed and wastefulness that contributed to the duchess's financial downfall". The former courtier alleged: "Every night she demands a whole side of beef, a leg of lamb and a chicken, which are laid out on the dining room table like a medieval banquet. It's a feast that would make Henry VIII proud." The insider went on to say: "But often there is just her and her girls, Bea and Eugenie, and most of it is wasted. There is no attempt to keep it to have cold the next day. It just sits there all night, and the next day it's thrown away." A source also alleged that Fergie frequently missed non-refundable flights, racking up thousands of pounds in unnecessary expenses. The book further claims that the Duchess "thought nothing of arriving at an airport with 25 cases and paying between £800 and £4,000 in excess baggage. At least five of those cases were packed with toiletries and make-up. Another would be used solely for clothes hangers." Despite living rent-free with her ex-husband in his Royal Lodge mansion in Windsor, Lownie suggests that the Duchess's lavish lifestyle persists. In May 2009, she signed a year-long lease on a house costing £8,000 per month, but chose to stay with Andrew at the Royal Lodge instead. This resulted in £50,000 being spent on a property she never occupied. The controversial book, which Lownie maintains is the result of four years of investigation and countless interviews, alleges that Fergie actively pursued a notable array of potential romantic interests throughout the years. The author suggests that during a visit to New York, the Duchess instructed her team to establish whether John F. Kennedy Jnr - the striking son of the murdered American president John F. Kennedy - was present in the city. Upon learning of his presence, she promptly extended an invitation for cocktails or supper at her accommodation, which he reportedly accepted. When the Duchess purportedly learnt that Kennedy was romantically involved with actress Daryl Hannah, she allegedly responded: "That's not going to bother me!". According to Lownie, Hannah was indeed troubled by this development, resulting in Kennedy withdrawing his acceptance and citing a previous commitment. Lownie alleges that Fergie subsequently instructed her staff "to spy on his apartment all night to check that he had told the truth". The author also suggests the Duchess proclaimed she was "in love" with celebrated American golfer Tiger Woods. It is alleged she travelled 1,500 miles to encounter him, before revealing to broadcaster Piers Morgan: "I'm in love." Morgan reportedly enquired: "Who's the lucky guy?" prompting Fergie to respond: "He doesn't know yet." Fergie then indicated she intended to "follow him around the course for a bit and see how I get on". Morgan reportedly concluded: "Poor old Tiger isn't going to know what's hit him." Article continues below A representative for the Duchess of York was approached for comment by the Mirror.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Emmerdale fans 'work out' Ray's love interest and it could spark ultimatum
Emmerdale viewers have shared the theory that new villain Ray will end up with someone in the village after a cryptic comment from actor Joe Absolom about the ITV soap role There could be romance on the way for Emmerdale baddie Ray. Amid his plans for teenagers Dylan Penders and April Windsor, fans think Ray will end up with someone in the village. The love interest could be none other than a character linked to April and others in the Dales, and it could spark an ultimatum if it was to happen. Fans can't help but question whether Ray will be caught up in a romance, taking his dealing storyline into another direction. It comes as Ray made it clear who he was targeting this week, with a drug drop planned for one terrified teen. So if the female in question dopes embark on a romance with the villain, it would definitely divide villagers. Fans think that unlucky in love Laurel Thomas will be Ray's love interest. She's not had the best of luck recently, from a near-kiss with ex Marlon Dingle, as well as her brief fling with vicar Charles Anderson, eight years on from the death of her husband Ashley Thomas. Laurel seems to be single for now, and with her offscreen a fair bit recently fans are guessing she has a storyline on the way. Amid fears about who else Ray may target, and whether Laurel's teen son Arthur Thomas will get involved, fans are speculating Laurel and Ray will end up together. Taking to social media, one fan said: "Joe [Absolom] said Ray has charm so I'm sure he's gonna end up with someone and Laurel is at the top of my list." Another fan replied: "I'm rooting for her and Ray now." So will Laurel end up in a forbidden romance with the village villain who's targeting teens in a dark plot? It's not yet clear how long Ray is on the show for and what will happen with the storyline. It comes as he was heard telling a mystery person about April "being of use" for their dodgy dealings. It wasn't revealed who he was on the phone to, but fans think they know the identity of the caller. Some fans have gone back to the Joe Tate theory about a possible teaming up, believing they are working together. Another theory speculated that fellow newcomer Celia might be linked to Ray. One theory said: "Anyone else curious as to who Ray was on the phone with? I reckon it's someone we know like Joe." Another post echoed this theory saying: "Is Ray working with Joe?" Meanwhile another fan commented: "Imagine if Ray was working with Celia." Get the latest drama from the Dales by joining our Emmerdale WhatsApp group As drama continues to unfold in the Yorkshire Dales, the Mirror has launched its very own Emmerdale WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest breaking news, secrets, and spoilers delivered straight to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
