Released on Jan. 10, the Duke of Sussex’s book included jarring allegations, fromPrince William’salleged physical assaulton his younger brother to damaging press leaks within the family.
“This is all so ghastly,” a royal insider tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. “Although there is sorrow because the Queen has died, the coronation should be a joyful moment, too, because Charles will be crowned. But this is a massive shadow.”
The royal family hasn’t publicly commented on Prince Harry’s book, with Prince William, 40,ignoring shouted questions from the mediaduring a Jan. 12 outing withKate Middleton, 41. King Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 75, have similarly kept quiet on the matter.
“They didn’t want to fan the flames of the rift and the dispute,” says royal correspondent Valentine Low, author ofCourtiers. “They know that anything said in a statement or a briefing would prolong it. They wanted it to calm down as soon as possible. The longer it goes on, the less hope there is for reconciliation.”
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Behind the scenes, “William is the one who is most upset and needs time to calm down,” says a source close to the royal household.
Despite public silence, discussions are underway on how to work out a reconciliation betweenPrince HarryandMeghan Marklewith the royal family. There’s “fatigue” at the consequences of the brothers' estrangement, as one insider puts it, and recognition that something — or someone — must bridge the divide.
King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry.DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
All eyes are on King Charles and Queen Camilla’sMay 6 coronation— and ifPrince Harry, 38, and Meghan, 41, will attend.
A source close to the Sussexes says there has been no movement toward reconciliation and that Harry’s initial position on the matter also hasn’t changed.
Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty
Says the source close to the royal household, “It is such a momentous occasion for Charles, and he would want his son to be at the coronation to witness it.”
“He would like to have Harry back in the family,” the source adds. “If they don’t sort it out, it will always be part of the King’s reign and how he has left his family disjointed. He has had a reputation as a distant parent, and it would be awful for him for that to continue.”
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Royal historian Robert Lacey adds, “It is almost insulting to ask, ‘When are they going to kiss and make up?’ There have been some very grave disagreements between them. But the Platinum Jubilee and the funerals of the Queen andPrince Philipdid demonstrate that they could put personal enmity aside for the sake of the bigger cause. And that is what the coronation will be all about.”
source: people.com
