Prince William has not spoken to his brother Prince Harry since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022, a silence royal experts describe as a deliberate strategy rooted in his view of Harry as untrustworthy.
This assessment comes from multiple royal commentators who spoke to Fox News Digital, including broadcaster Helena Chard and expert Richard Fitzwilliams, who said the Prince of Wales is “ignoring the circus” and has “done with drama.” Chard added that William’s silence “isn’t a mystery. It’s a strategy,” even as Fitzwilliams stated plainly that William “regards his brother as totally untrustworthy.” The rift, they say, reflects a broader pattern in which William holds firm to loyalty and remembers those he perceives as having taken sides against him.
This stance aligns with what insiders notify The News International about William’s broader vision for the monarchy: a streamlined institution where only those who contribute meaningfully remain in active roles. According to a well-placed source, William sees no value in carrying forward royals who “coast” or trade on the family name without pulling their weight — a sentiment that has already led to the distancing of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie from the inner circle, noted by their absence at recent family events like Easter.
The source emphasized that these changes are not motivated by personal vendettas but by a desire to protect the institution’s future. “It’s not just about getting rid of people,” the insider said. “He’s too very focused on building a team he actually believes in.” That team, according to the report, includes figures like James, Earl of Wessex — the son of Prince Edward and Sophie — whom William views as grounded, well-educated, and likely to contribute more to the Crown than he takes from it.
William’s approach echoes a long-standing royal principle: the monarchy’s survival depends on perceived utility, and discipline. The last time the institution underwent such a focused contraction was during the reign of King George VI, who streamlined royal duties after World War II to prioritize public service over ceremonial excess. Today, William appears to be applying a similar logic, though framed in the context of modern scrutiny and internal family fractures.
While the Prince of Wales avoids public commentary on the rift, his actions signal a clear boundary. Those close to him describe a man who values consistency and discretion, traits he believes have been compromised by Harry and Meghan’s public interviews, memoir, and what critics have labeled a “faux royal tour” that exploited their titles for commercial gain. Whether this stance will soften over time remains uncertain, but for now, the walls between the brothers appear firmly in place.
Why has Prince William cut off Prince Harry?
Royal experts say Prince William views his brother as untrustworthy due to perceived disloyalty, particularly stemming from Harry and Meghan’s public interviews and memoir, which William believes violated family privacy and exploited their royal status.
Is Prince William planning to reduce the size of the royal family further?
Yes, according to insiders, William intends to streamline the monarchy by removing those he sees as coasting on royal status without contributing, while promoting figures like James, Earl of Wessex, whom he views as reliable and duty-focused.
