Prince William remains steadfast in his decision to not welcome his younger brother, Prince Harry, back into the royal fold, particularly after the latter's attacks on his wife, Kate Middleton.

According to royal expert Michael Cole, a former BBC journalist and royal correspondent, the Prince of Wales is unlikely to soften his stance after the public and personal insults directed at the royal family, especially Middleton.

The rift between the Duke of Sussex and the rest of the royal family has been well-documented, with Prince Harry expressing a desire to reconcile. However, Cole believes that Prince William is firm in his decision to keep his distance.

"There's going to be no softening of the adamantine response to what he's done," Cole stated on GB News. "He's done the unthinkable. In this life, most men can put up with insults. What they cannot put up with are two things which they cannot abide with. Their driving ability, and they certainly cannot allow their wife to be criticized."

Cole highlighted that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, have openly displayed their disdain for Middleton. The Sussexes' reaction to Middleton’s cancer diagnosis was perceived by Cole as insincere. After Middleton announced her cancer diagnosis following abdominal surgery in January, the Sussexes released a statement wishing her "health and healing." "We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace," read their statement to People.

The relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family has been fraught with tension, especially following Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, their Netflix docuseries "Harry & Meghan" in 2022, and Harry’s memoir "Spare" in 2023. In his book, Harry detailed incidents that cast Middleton in an unflattering light, including an anecdote where she allegedly "grimaced" when Meghan borrowed her lip gloss and a tense exchange over wedding preparations that reportedly left Meghan "sobbing on the floor."

Cole emphasized that the Sussexes' apparent disrespect towards Middleton is a significant reason for William's refusal to reconcile. "There is too much bad blood. William is not going to forgive that, principally because he, of course, and his wife attacked personally, his wife, Kate," Cole reiterated.

The strain between the brothers has been a focal point of royal watchers, with many speculating on the potential for future reconciliation. However, Cole's insights suggest that such a possibility remains distant. He pointed out that Prince William's protective nature over his wife is a key factor in his unyielding stance. "Men can put up with insults, but they cannot allow their wife to be criticized," Cole noted, underlining the deep-seated issues that persist between the siblings.