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Harry Allegedly Mapping Out a 'Battle Plan' to Reunite With William — But Will It Work?

(L) Prince Harry arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice; (R) Prince William at the Duchess of Kent's Requiem Mass service at Westminster Cathedral (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L&R) Max Mumby/Indigo)
(L) Prince Harry arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice; (R) Prince William at the Duchess of Kent's Requiem Mass service at Westminster Cathedral (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L&R) Max Mumby/Indigo)
Feb. 11 2026, Published 08:34 AM. ET
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After Prince Harry stepped down as a senior royal and relocated to California in 2020, his relationship with Prince William was completely severed. The once-close brothers, last seen together at Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022, have not publicly acknowledged one another since. However, a new report suggests the Duke of Sussex may be open to letting the bygones be bygones. According to insiders, he is allegedly planning a potential olive branch by inviting the Prince of Wales to attend the 2027 Invictus Games.

Prince William and Prince Harry visit the trenches and tunnels used during the Battle of Vimy Ridge on April 9, 2017, in France. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Andy Commins - Pool)
Prince William and Prince Harry visit the trenches and tunnels used during the Battle of Vimy Ridge (Image Source: Getty Images | Andy Commins/Pool)

As reported by the Daily Express, sources revealed that Harry has reportedly been mapping out a "carefully timed diplomacy mission and battle plan" to get William on board. 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." Explaining how inviting the Prince of Wales could push for a reconciliation, they added, "If they [Charles and William] chose to appear together again, it wouldn't just be a family photo opportunity—it would signal to the world that the royals are finally ready to move past the fractures of the last few years."

(Prince William, King Charles, and Prince Harry attend Invictus Games. Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby)
Prince William, King Charles, and Prince Harry attend the Invictus Games (Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby/Indigo)

However, while the Duke appears eager to mend fences, William is still allegedly reticent about meeting his brother. A source stressed, "He's [William] deeply protective of his family and feels that too much damage was done in public for things to simply be smoothed over. It's not about stubbornness so much as caution—he doesn't want another round of emotional fallout played out in front of the cameras." They further explained that although the Prince is not yet ready to 'reopen that door,' he wishes to reportedly wait and observe rather than 'rush into anything.'

Meanwhile, similar reports have also pointed to Harry as more willing to reconcile with William. Last month, in an article for Women's Day, royal expert Phil Dampier revealed that the Prince of Wales may attend several matches of the FIFA World Cup, held in June and July in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The Duke of Sussex is also planning on seeing some of England's games. He quoted an insider explaining Harry's alleged desire to reconnect during one of the football matches, "It would be a great opportunity and a relaxed atmosphere, but who knows? Harry is keener to make it up, but I'm not sure William is ready to forgive him for the comments he has made, particularly smearing his wife, Catherine, as a racist."

Prince Harry, Princess Kate and Prince William  join Team Heads Together at a London Marathon Training Day at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on February 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Prince Harry, Kate Middleton, and Prince William join Team Heads Together at a London Marathon (Image Source: Getty Images | Chris Jackson)

Moreover, Dampier argued that the Duke was allegedly hoping to use King Charles and William's upcoming US visits to assist him in burying the hatchet. He claimed, "The prodigal son is said to be 'desperate' for Charles to be reunited with his grandchildren, whom he hasn't seen for nearly four years. Harry also hopes his shared love of football will help him make it up with his brother William."

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