The ongoing rift between Prince William and Prince Harry has been a challenging and emotional journey for both the brothers and their loved ones, according to Jason Knauf, a former royal aide who worked closely with the princes and their wives, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. In a recent interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Knauf shed light on the difficulty of witnessing the royal siblings’ strained relationship, especially as it has played out in the public eye. While William has chosen to keep his thoughts on the matter private, Knauf emphasized the importance of respecting that decision, noting that those who know the Duke of Cambridge well understand the need to follow his lead. Despite the challenges, Knauf acknowledged that the situation has been “hard and sad” for everyone involved, particularly for those who have a deep affection for both princes.
Knauf, who served as the communications secretary for both brothers and their wives before transitioning to other roles within the royal family, reflected on his time working with Harry and Meghan prior to their decision to step back from their royal duties in 2020. He described the experience as incredibly rewarding, recalling the “great times” they shared and the “amazing, magical experience” of Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding. However, Knauf also acknowledged the complexities that arose during his tenure, including the accusations of bullying that he brought forward against Meghan Markle. These allegations, which were made public in 2021, marked a turning point in the media narrative surrounding the Duchess of Sussex and contributed to the increasingly fraught dynamics within the royal family.
The tension between William and Harry is said to have begun as early as 2016, when Harry first started dating Meghan Markle. At the time, the relationship was seen as a source of joy for the royal family, but it also marked the beginning of a series of misunderstandings and disagreements that would eventually escalate into a full-blown rift. The situation grew more complicated in the years that followed, particularly after Harry and Meghan announced their decision to leave their roles as working members of the royal family and relocate to California. The couple’s move to the United States and their subsequent pursuit of a more private, Hollywood-oriented lifestyle created further distance between the two brothers, both physically and emotionally.
The rift between the siblings took a particularly dramatic turn in 2021, when Harry and Meghan sat down for an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey. During the conversation, the couple revealed details about the tensions within the royal family, including claims that certain members of the family had expressed concerns about the skin color of their son, Archie, before he was born. Meghan also opened up about her struggles with mental health, revealing that she had felt suicidal at one point during her time as a working royal. Perhaps most notably, Meghan addressed the widely reported story about a disagreement with Kate Middleton over flower girl dresses for her wedding to Harry, stating that it was actually Kate who had made her cry during the planning process—a detail that contradicted earlier media reports that had placed blame on Meghan.
In addition to the Oprah interview, Harry further detailed his experiences in his 2023 memoir, Spare, which included a startling account of a physical altercation between him and William during a heated argument about Meghan. The book provided an intimate look into the brotherly dynamics and painted a picture of a relationship that had been fraying for years. Despite these very public revelations, the two princes have continued to keep their distance from each other, with only a few rare moments of unity—such as their appearance together at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and Harry’s brief interaction with William at King Charles III’s coronation in 2023. Notably, Meghan did not attend the coronation, opting instead to remain at home with the couple’s two children, Archie and Lilibet.
Looking ahead, there seems to be a glimmer of hope for reconciliation, at least with their father, King Charles III. According to reports, Harry and Meghan are said to be open to mending their relationship with the King, though it remains to be seen how—and if—this will come to fruition. Regardless of what the future holds, the story of William and Harry’s fractured relationship serves as a poignant reminder of the emotional toll that family conflicts can take, even in the most prominent and scrutinized families. As Jason Knauf so eloquently put it, the situation has been difficult for everyone involved, but the respect and loyalty that those close to the brothers feel for them only add to the hope that one day, healing and understanding might prevail.
