Kate Middleton is reportedly doing everything she can behind the scenes to encourage Prince William to reunite with Prince Harry during the Duke of Sussex's upcoming visit to the United Kingdom, a trip that could mark the first opportunity in years for the royal brothers to see one another.
According to Us Weekly, the Princess of Wales has been "trying to convince" William to meet not only with Harry, but also with Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who are expected to accompany their parents for events connected to the 2027 Invictus Games countdown.
© DYLAN MARTINEZWhile the prospect of a family reunion has sparked speculation, insiders say no meeting has been confirmed. "At this time, William is not planning to be there, but things could change. Kate has been trying to convince William to meet with Harry, Meghan and the kids," a source told the outlet.
The insider added that Kate is especially eager to spend time with her niece and nephew after years of missed opportunities.
© Getty Images"She is interested in seeing the kids, as well. These opportunities to see Archie and Lilibet haven’t happened before, so when they found out they were coming, it was a shock. They are trying to make this work because the opportunities are so limited."
According to the same source, the Princess of Wales is hopeful but understands that the decision ultimately belongs to her husband. "She is hoping that William will show up, but she will respect his decision."
Even so, any reconciliation between the brothers appears to depend entirely on William's willingness to move forward.
© Getty Images"This is not on William’s timeline, it’s on Harry’s," the insider alleged. "They also weren’t expecting Harry to come to the U.K. with Meghan and the kids, so he’s been hesitant. If he is not ready yet, a reunion won’t happen."
King Charles is also said to be optimistic that the visit could become an important step toward healing the fractured family relationship. According to Us Weekly, the monarch has reportedly invited the Sussexes to stay at a royal residence while they are in Britain and remains hopeful that the trip could open the door to future reconciliation.
© Ken R. Goff"The king is realistic about the challenges of rebuilding the relationship and knows it is going to take time," the source said. "[Queen] Camilla has been very supportive of the efforts to improve the relationship. There is definitely excitement, and Charles is also optimistic about this. He’s hoping it’s the first step toward repairing the relationship between Harry and William, as well."
The reported efforts come after years of tension within the royal family. Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020 before relocating to California, a decision that was followed by a series of public interviews, their Netflix documentary, and Harry's 2023 memoir 'Spare,' all of which deepened the divide between the Sussexes and the rest of the family.
© Justin Goff PhotosWilliam and Harry have not been seen together publicly since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022. Ironically, Kate and Harry once shared one of the closest relationships within the royal family. Before the fallout, Harry famously described the Princess of Wales as the big sister he never had, and the pair were often praised for their easy friendship and shared sense of humor.
According to former royal butler Grant Harrold in 'The Royal Butler: My Remarkable Life of Royal Service,' Kate and Harry would even spend time together when William was away carrying out royal duties, whether running errands or visiting local pubs.
© Justin Goff PhotosRoyal biographers have also suggested that, following the death of Princess Diana, Harry found in Kate the caring female presence he had long missed.
Their close bond was also reflected during the years when William, Kate and Harry became known as the royal "Fab Three," regularly appearing together at engagements and sharing lighthearted moments that offered the public a glimpse of their natural chemistry.
© Ken R. GoffThat relationship, however, gradually unraveled after Harry and Meghan's departure from royal life. Although Kate reportedly attempted to play peacemaker between the brothers on several occasions, including encouraging them to speak after Prince Philip's funeral, the personal criticisms directed at her in 'Spare' are widely believed to have caused lasting damage to their once close friendship.
Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet are expected to travel to the United Kingdom later this month as part of the Sussexes' engagements promoting the 2027 Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham next year. Whether the visit also leads to a long-awaited royal reunion remains to be seen.
