Ex-Butler Explains Why William Hasn't Just Distanced Himself From Harry — But Has Chosen 'Isolation'
Former royal butler Paul Burrell believes Prince William has deliberately maintained distance as a way of life.
Prince William and Prince Harry have been through their share of ups and downs, but the Duke of Sussex's 2020 departure from royal duties was the final nail in the coffin. Since then, the once-close brothers have crossed paths only once, at Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022. Reflecting on their strained dynamic, former royal butler Paul Burrell revealed that the Prince of Wales has deliberately maintained distance from his brother, choosing to focus on his future role as king.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Burrell suggested that William and Harry will not reconcile soon, owing to the latter's many bombshell media interviews. He said, "I think William has distanced himself from Harry a lot more than people realize. As he [William] gets nearer and nearer to the throne, which will be in a few years, he has to remain isolated." Explaining that the Prince of Wales cannot afford to have more secrets in the open, he added, "He [William] can't let things leak out…He doesn't want to live in a world that can't be controlled because, to be a monarch, you have to control the environment."
The former royal butler stressed the importance of protecting the Crown, a value William has reportedly learnt from his late grandmother. "He [William] can't afford to let it break while he's in control of it. So, William is very mindful, and his world is very, very protected. His little bubble of himself, [his wife] Catherine, and the children are isolated in a way." Despite William's alleged reluctance, Burrell praised Harry for carving a different path for himself, but he does not believe that a reunion will happen anytime soon. "Too much dirty laundry has been laundered in public, really, for the royal family. That's unforgivable," he said.
Additionally, Burrell claimed that after Meghan Markle married the Duke of Sussex and joined the Firm, things went downhill between the once-close brothers. He opined that the Sussexes' push for independence and breaking contact with their family allegedly did not sit well with the Prince of Wales, who is finding it hard to forgive them. "It broke the line and the thread between them and the royal family — appearing on national television to discuss private matters, entering the world of commercialism, selling your soul to the world."
Regardless of William's feelings on the matter, Harry is allegedly keen to mend fences with him. As reported by the Daily Express, sources revealed that he has reportedly been mapping out a "carefully timed diplomacy mission and battle plan" to get William on board to attend the 2027 Invictus Games. An insider spilled, "The Invictus Games in Birmingham is set to be key as his [Harry's] olive branch moment — something symbolic but safe, under the banner of a cause everyone can support."
