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Princess Kate's Close Friend Reveals Where She Stands With Prince Harry: ‘Life's Far Too Short’

Prince Harry and Princess Kate speak as they host a tea party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace to honor the children of those who have died serving in the armed forces on May 13, 2017, in London. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Andrew Parso)
Prince Harry and Princess Kate speak as they host a tea party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace to honor the children of those who have died serving in the armed forces on May 13, 2017, in London. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Andrew Parso)
Jan. 03 2026, Published 04:32 AM. ET
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Prince Harry and Princess Kate once shared a very close bond. But after Harry married Meghan Markle, their relationship became increasingly distant. While Harry has taken several small steps to mend ties with his father, King Charles, his bond with his brother, Prince William, and sister-in-law remains largely strained. Now, according to close friends of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Kate has decided to step away from the situation entirely, placing all of her energy on her three kids and home life rather than revisiting a situation that has caused her heartbreak.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Prince Harry arrive at a briefing to announce plans for Heads Together ahead of the 2017 Virgin Money London. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | John Phillips)
Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Prince Harry arrive at a briefing to announce plans for Heads Together ahead of the 2017 Virgin Money London. (Image Source: Getty Images | John Phillips)

The close friend of the Waleses told The Times, “After repeatedly taking aim at his brother and sister-in-law, it's hardly surprising that William and Kate would rather focus on raising their own family." They added that after everything Kate’s been through, her cancer battle, she has come to realize that “life's far too short to get hung up on Harry.”

As per OK! magazine, royal expert Duncan Larcombe also previously had argued that the couple’s lack of acknowledgement of Harry’s 41st birthday in September was a clear sign that the two are distancing themselves. “Kate's silence spoke a thousand words. They didn't post anything on his birthday, which the royals normally would do. So Kate's message was loud and clear: the ball's not in our court, Harry – it's in yours,” Larcombe told the outlet.

Prince William, Princess Kate and Prince Harry  during
Prince William, Princess Kate, and Prince Harry during 'The Patron's Lunch' celebrations for The Queen's 90th birthday at The Mall on June 12, 2016, in London. (Image Source: Getty Images | Jeff Spicer)

He also suggested that due to strict royal protocols in place, neither Kate nor William can directly speak about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, so throughout the years, they have relied on ‘subtle messaging’ to put their feelings across. “They’re not prepared to call Harry’s bluff by sending him joyful birthday wishes, so they remain silent and avoid him at all costs,” he argued.

While the rapport between the Princess of Wales and the Duke of Sussex has been icy in recent years, there was a time when Kate was like a sister Harry never had. “Harry once said, Kate is like the big sister... Even, occasionally, a mother figure,” a source said, as reported by Marie Claire.

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, 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. (Image Source: Getty Images | Chris Jackson)

Together, Harry, Kate, and William founded Heads Together, a mental health initiative coordinated by The Royal Foundation. It remains one of the biggest joint projects the three royals have ever undertaken together, with Markle also joining the initiative after her marriage to Harry in 2018. Once dubbed as ‘The Fab Four,’ they were deeply involved in the initiative before Markle and Harry stepped back as senior royals in 2020, effectively ending their involvement in its leadership or operations. 

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