The divide between Prince William and Prince Harry, once inseparable brothers, has seemingly widened, with insiders suggesting that William has lost confidence in his younger brother's judgment. According to sources close to the royal family, Prince William has allegedly "shut the door" on Harry's attempts to return to royal duties, believing that the Duke of Sussex is not fit to handle the responsibilities that come with such a role.
“William doesn’t think Harry has the smarts to handle even a reduced role in the Firm,” an insider revealed to The National Enquirer, using the term "The Firm" to refer to the British monarchy. “In other words, he thinks his brother is foolishly adhering to bad advice and simply doesn’t have the mental capacity to make sound decisions.”
This revelation comes amid ongoing tensions between the two brothers that began escalating when Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped back from their roles as senior royals in 2020. Since then, the couple's departure has been followed by a series of interviews, public appearances, and even a memoir by Harry that have further strained relations within the royal family.
One source close to the situation claims William is "astonished" by Harry's actions, particularly his accusations against the royal family, including claims of racism during a high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey. “At first, William thought it was defiance that made his brother strike out against him and the rest of the family,” the insider said. “But now he truly believes Harry doesn’t understand the repercussions of his decisions and the damage he’s caused.”
According to palace insiders, William has been deeply concerned about how Harry’s decisions have not only affected the monarchy but also his personal reputation. The Prince of Wales reportedly believes that Harry has been easily influenced by Meghan, which, in his view, has led to a series of poor choices. “William wonders why Harry would burn bridges with his family and give up the opportunities royal life could offer in furthering the humanitarian causes he and Meghan claim to care about,” the source explained.
This sentiment has been echoed by others outside the royal family. Actor Ian McKellen, a supporter of Harry, reportedly said, “The Duke of Sussex is not bright enough to handle life as a working royal.” McKellen’s comments have only added to the growing narrative that Harry is struggling to navigate his new life outside of the monarchy.
In recent years, Harry and Meghan's foray into media and entertainment has seen mixed results. Their multi-million-dollar deals with Spotify and Netflix, which were expected to solidify their new careers, have faced difficulties. Last year, Spotify terminated its $20 million deal with the couple, with a company executive reportedly calling them "grifters." Their $100 million deal with Netflix is also reportedly under pressure. The streaming giant recently canceled Meghan’s animated series Pearl, and Harry’s latest documentary about polo was announced just hours after Princess Kate shared news of being cancer-free—an awkward timing that raised eyebrows.
Despite these setbacks, Harry has reportedly expressed a willingness to take on royal duties once again, but only on a part-time basis. His condition? That Prince William offers an apology. However, those close to William suggest that an apology is unlikely to happen. “William told his friends that Harry is daft for even suggesting such a thing,” said one source. "Queen Elizabeth made it clear before her death that there would be no half-in, half-out roles within the royal family. You’re either in or you’re out."
For William, it seems, the decision is clear. He remains firm in his stance to keep his younger brother at a distance, not out of malice, but as a protective measure for the monarchy. "He’s not doing it to hurt Harry,” explained a close source, “but to protect the institution. William believes Harry’s lack of judgment could be a danger to the monarchy, the country, and even himself.”