Prince William’s main challenge as King will be to balance staying true to his principles while bringing more ‘modern-thinking’ Prince Harry back into the fold, royal expert claims
- Prince William, 38, facing ‘challenge’ of bring Prince Harry, 36, back to The Firm
- Expert said he has to ‘modernise the institution by making his brother part of it’
- Robert Lacey explained ‘everyone wants’ to see ‘some kind of reconciliation’
- Added William adopted Queen’s, 94, ‘ruthlessness’ in dealing with the Sussexes
- Comes after Robert predicted Prince William and Harry would not reconcile
- Said brothers ‘have five months to heal their rift’ or relationship won’t recover
Prince William’s main ‘challenge’ King will be to balance staying true to his principles while ‘bringing Prince Harry back’ to be part of The Firm, a royal expert has claimed.
Royal biographer Robert Lacey, who is the author of Battle of Brothers, a new book that examines the rift between the two Dukes, said that ‘everyone wants some kind of reconciliation’ between the Duke of Cambridge, 38, and Duke of Sussex, 36.
Speaking to Vanity Fair’s Katie Nicholl, he said making Prince Harry a part of the institution again would be Prince William’s biggest test.
He explained: ‘The challenge for William is whether while being true to his principles he can also modernise the institution by making his brother part of it. That’s what everyone wants, some kind of reconciliation.’
Prince William’s main ‘challenge’ as a monarch will be staying true to his principles while modernising the institution by ‘bringing Prince Harry back’ to be part of The Firm, a royal expert has claimed
The royal expert went on to claim the Duke of Cambridge has adopted a similar attitude towards Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, 39, as his grandmother, the Queen, 94.
He said: ‘At the end of the day we saw a ruthlessness from the Queen over her absolute refusal to allow the Sussexes to use the word royal for their new branding, and we’re seeing the same ruthlessness in William.’
However Robert went on to say he thinks there is ‘no chance’ of Harry and Meghan ever returning to Britain full time, or ‘leaving their American base.’
His comments come after he said the brothers have ‘five months to heal their rift’ or their relationship would never recover.
Robert Lacey claimed the Duke of Cambridge has adopted a similar ‘ruthless’ attitude towards Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, 39, as his grandmother, the Queen, 94 (pictured together)
Speaking to Newsweek, he said the rift between Prince William and Prince Harry must be resolved by the end of a 12-month review of Harry and Meghan’s new working relationship, due in March.
Prince Harry and Meghan are currently midway through a 12-month probation period, at the end of which the Queen, Prince Charles, 71, and Prince William will come together to review their relationship with the monarchy.
He explained that the relationship would become irreparable if Prince William takes on Prince Harry’s former military title as Captain General of Royal Marines.
Robert added: ‘There have been stories that it’s going to be assigned to William. Were that to be the case, that would be the end of it.’
Robert went on to say he thinks there is ‘no chance’ of Harry and Meghan ever returning to Britain full time, or ‘leaving their American base’ (pictured, with Prince William and Kate Middleton at their final royal engagement in March)
He said: ‘Either it goes in the direction of some sort of compromise or reconciliation or there has to be some break.’
Meanwhile the royal expert also called on Prince William to make a statement about his relationship with Prince Harry as the Duke of Sussex did last autumn in South Africa.
In October, Prince Harry told ITV’s Tom Bradby the brothers were on ‘different paths’ but that he ‘still loved his brother dearly.’
Robert said there has been ‘no statement from William addressing what’s happened’ and added: ‘I think he should address it publicly.’
Robert’s comments come amid news Prince William is to take on the Prince Harry’s role Captain General of Royal Marines after the Duke of Sussex was stripped of military appointments after stepping back from royal duty.
Meanwhile Robert also predicted the relationship could become irreparable if Prince William takes on Prince Harry’s former military title as Captain General of Royal Marines (pictured, the Duke of Sussex attending the Mountbatten Festival of Music at Royal Albert Hall in March)
Prince Harry entered into negotiations with the royal family after announcing his withdrawal as a senior royal in January, and was said to be ‘devastated’ by the agreement to give up his military honours, including the role of Captain General of Royal Marines.
Earlier this month, sources claimed the Duke of Cambridge has been ‘approached’ with the view of taking on the role, and is ‘keen’ to take up the appointment.
Insiders told the Express: ‘The decision has been made to invite Prince William to take over this important duty, largely on the basis that the Duke of Sussex has given no reason to believe that he will alter current arrangements. Quite the opposite, in fact.’
The source revealed: ‘The Corps is, in effect, without a Captain General and we really must get on and fill this role.’
Prince Harry and Meghan are currently midway through a 12-month probation period, at the end of which the Queen, 94, Prince Charles, 71, and Prince William will come together to review their relationship with the monarchy
Prince Harry was handed the role by the Queen in December 2017, succeeding the Duke of Edinburgh, after a long military career.
The position was Prince Harry’s highest profile military title before he stepped back from official military appointments in March.
The duke ‘regretted’ having to stand down from his role in the military, and felt ‘forced into it’ after stepping down from royal duties, a source told The Sun at the time.
During his speech at the festival, Harry said: ‘I am so proud to have served as the Royal Marines Captain and am devastated that I am having to step down.
‘I feel I’m letting people down, but I had no choice.’
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