Prince Harry comes 'staggeringly close' to Prince William but 'enormous divide' dashes reunion hopes

OPINION – They were just 13 kilometres away from each other, in physical distance, but worlds away in other respects.

Prince Harry and Prince William, the warring brothers, have so far failed to come face to face as the Duke of Sussex makes his first trip to the UK since April.

Prince Harry returned to England on Monday, coinciding with the third anniversary of the late Queen Elizabeth II's death, and appears to have a packed schedule across four days that has little room for a reunion with his brother.

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His first day on home soil saw the duke stay firmly away from the rest of the royal family, as the Prince and Princess of Wales kept themselves occupied a separate event.

Prince Harry's first stop took him staggeringly close to Prince William and Kate. But a reunion was not to be.

The duke arrived in London hours after he was seen at Los Angeles International Airport in California. He was later ushered through the private Windsor Suite, before being driven to Windsor Castle in a Range Rover.

Prince Harry wanted to lay a wreath and flowers at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, his grandmother, inside St George's Chapel on the third anniversary of her death.

He would have had to have asked for special permission to visit the late Queen's final resting place, as he had done when he made a private pilgrimage there in 2023.

Around the same time, just across town on the other side of Windsor Great Park, Prince William and Kate were reflecting on the late Queen's legacy.

They carried out a joint public engagement at the the Sunningdale branch of the Women's Institute. The organisation holds a special connection to Her Late Majesty as she was a member for 80 years, joining in 1943 and serving as President of the Sandringham group from 2003 until her death.

Over tea and cake, Prince William said that he "can't quite believe it has been three years already" since the death of his grandmother.

The Princess of Wales was a surprise inclusion at the event, with Kensington Palace initially saying just William was due to attend.

It was yet another example of Kate agreeing to do what she can, when her health allows for it, following her cancer treatment last year.

William said his family had enjoyed a lovely summer but added it was "nice to get back" to work.

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During the morning tea, the Prince and Princess of Wales spoke about their children, who returned to school for the new year last week. When asked if they were back at school he said: "Thankfully, yes".

Kate said they had been "crafting in every corner of the house" over the summer holidays.

William said that Prince Louis, who is seven, was "a character" but a "really good boy".

Prince George, he said, knew how to behave in public, but "behind closed doors, it's a different ball game".

The three Wales' children are not known to have seen their two Sussex cousins since 2022, if at all.

The last time Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, where in the UK was in June 2022 during the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

A first birthday party for Lilibet was held at Frogmore Cottage then which, at the time, was the UK residence of Prince Harry and Meghan before they were asked to give back the keys.

Soon after Prince Harry's private visit to his grandmother's grave on Monday, he was in London to attend a charity event.

The duke arrived at the Royal Lancaster Hotel just after 4pm to attend the WellChild Awards in his role as patron, a position he has held since 2007.

It is one of a few patronages he was able to retain after stepping back as a senior working royal in 2020. Prince Harry has been attending the event, which honours inspirational sick children and their families, each year.

He was heard joking about troublesome sibling relationships while chatting to one of the winners, Declan Bitmead.

Harry was told the 17-year-old had a younger brother.

"Does he drive you mad?" Harry asked.

Declan replied "No, we get on fine" with Harry replying with a smile, "you know what – siblings".

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Harry was then told Declan and his brother went to the same school, with the duke adding: "You're at the same school, that sometimes makes it more challenging".

On stage during a speech Prince Harry spoke about his long connection with the charity.

"I still remember my very first WellChild Awards, 18 years ago," he said. "I walked into the room, and within about three minutes I realised two things: the love and energy in the room was palpable, so too was the unpredictability.

"And second, that I was completely hooked on it all. This night has been a highlight of my year ever since and it's all because of you guys – these children, this cause, and our WellChild community."

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As he was leaving the hotel, the duke was asked a question so many royal observers are wanting the answer to: "Do you hope to see your father, Harry?"

The prince did not respond.

King Charles is currently staying at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands.

He and Queen Camilla are back at work but both are believed to have free diaries this week, ahead of a busy agenda when US President Donald Trump arrives on September 17.

Buckingham Palace has not commented publicly on Prince Harry's time in the UK.

Charles and Harry's last encounter was in February 2024 when the duke rushed back to the UK to see his father following the announcement of his cancer diagnosis.

Their meeting, inside Clarence House, is said to have lasted less than an hour.

In July, senior aides to the King and Harry were photographed meeting in London in what many saw as an initial step towards opening communication channels between the two sides.

In May, Prince Harry told the BBC: "I don't know how much longer my father has." He added: "It would be nice to reconcile."

Prince Harry will be in the UK for four days, until Thursday.

He is believed to be staying in a hotel after declining an invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace during a previous visit.

On Tuesday, Prince Harry will visit the Community Radio Station in Nottingham and on Wednesday, he will visit the Centre for Blast Injury Studies, 12 years after he opened its new laboratories. Harry will be updated on its recent work concerning paediatric blast-and-crush injuries, research for child amputees and learning from conflict and disaster zones.

Prince William has an event on Tuesday, too. The Prince of Wales will visit Spiral Skills, a youth organisation in south London, which received funding from William's homelessness initiative, Homewards, to expand its operations into a new hub for young people in the area.

The following day, William will mark World Suicide Day in Cardiff with a charity helping to prevent suicide among young men.

If Prince William had any free time to see his brother, it's unlikely he would do so considering the enormous divide that has grown between the two in the five years since Harry left the royal family.

Next week, the King will lead the royal family at the funeral service of the Duchess of Kent following her death on Thursday.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are due to attend, along with the wider royals.

Prince Harry, who is due to leave the UK this Thursday, is unlikely to extend his visit for the service.

Next Monday – September 15 – is also Harry's 41st birthday, a day he is likely to want to spend with his wife and children.

Prince Harry, who lost his battle to have his taxpayer-funded security reinstated, has previously said it was unsafe for Meghan and their children to join him in the UK.

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