Prince William’s Lack of Trust in Meghan Markle Is Blocking Peace With Harry, Says Royal Expert
Despite the passage of years, the long-running tension between Prince William and Prince Harry shows little sign of easing. At the center of the impasse, royal experts suggest, lies William’s mistrust of Meghan Markle, a factor that continues to complicate any chance of reconciliation.
For Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of My Mother and I, Meghan has become central to the stalemate. She told Fox News Digital, "The flea in the ointment really is very much Meghan. She’s disliked intensely by a large number of the monarchists of this country. They see her as being very… damaging to the royal family. And also, I think a lot of people in America feel the same. They don’t like that Meghan [reportedly] dissed her husband’s family and dissed her own family."
Seward went further, pointing to Meghan’s strained relationship with her own father as part of the problem. "It’s just extraordinary to think that her children have not met their grandfather," she said of Thomas Markle. "I think people in the States find that extremely odd, and we find it very odd here. And I think that’s a real black mark against Meghan’s character. I think she hasn’t been able to embrace… her own family, however much she feels about them. I mean, Harry’s never even met her father, which is extraordinary."
But Meghan’s role in the rift is only one part of the story. For William, the fear that private conversations could one day be made public has been enough to keep him from responding to his brother’s reported outreach. And now, that same hesitation appears to extend to King Charles.
Earlier, aides representing Harry and the King quietly met in London in what was described as a private “peace summit.” Seen as a tentative first step toward rebuilding their relationship, the meeting was soon leaked to the press. Earlier, Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield told Sky News Australia, "I also think that somebody leaked this story and I don't see the value in it [for the King]." She added, "And I talked to Tom Bower about it, too. I don't see the value in the King leaking this story. Despite the Sussexes saying they didn't leak the story, I do believe the Sussexes leaked the story, which goes to prove that they can't be trusted. So why would the King risk anything by meeting with Harry and Meghan and have Harry and Meghan or their friends discuss what happened at that meeting?"
However, as per The Telegraph, the Sussexes had denied leaking any details to the press.
That sentiment is also shared among senior royals. Commentator Hilary Fordwich put it, and said, "Persistent lack of trust is the main reason why senior royals remain reluctant to engage in reconciliation efforts. Their concerns are well-founded, that any private family discussions could become public or be used for commercial projects… [Meghan] has no sense of duty toward the British public nor the institution."
Even Harry’s attempts to reach out directly have reportedly gone unanswered. And, according to Seward, William’s stance has only hardened with time. "Harry thinks that William insulted Meghan," she explained. "I think when you have that kind of animosity, it’s really hard to [get around it]. I just don’t see any kind of reparation. I just don’t see it at this moment."