Why Prince William’s Estrangement from Brother Prince Harry Is “A Great Loss” for the Future King

For Prince William, the loss of brother Prince Harry from his life following their yearslong estrangement isn’t just personal, it’s professional, too.

Harry was expected to be by his brother’s side as he took the throne, working as a senior royal for his entire professional life, just as King Charles’s siblings Princess Anne and Prince Edward have (and Prince Andrew, as well, before the 2019 BBC Newsnight interview that ended his royal career).

“This estrangement is a great loss for William,” former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Mirror . “Harry would have been his main confidant, someone he could genuinely depend upon.”

“William is pragmatic and understands the reality,” Bond said of the brothers’ current situation—which involves yearslong silence. “It’s heartbreaking, but he recognizes he must move forward for the good of the institution.”

Of Harry’s step back from working royal life in January 2020, Bond told The Mirror, “I don’t think Harry figures in William’s plans at all. It is a very sad situation, because Harry was his wingman and would have been the brother he could rely on when he takes on the very heavy responsibility of being King.”

Bond added that “Harry would have had an extremely senior role and been the sibling, friend, supporter, and sounding board that the Princess Royal is now to her brother King Charles. It is a great loss for William, but one which I think he has now accepted.”

When William becomes King, Bond said that he will “continue to build on his father’s approach: being more than a figurehead or patron, but grappling instead with the nuts and bolts of social issues that need fixing and trying to help interested parties come up with practical solutions.”

As Prince of Wales now and as Duke of Cambridge before that, key issues for William have been the environment, homelessness, and mental health. “But he’s not just talking about them, he’s taking action,” Bond said. “And he is full of optimism and positivity, striving always to make some impact, get things rolling—even though a complete solution may not yet be possible, it’s all a move in the right direction. Better to do something than nothing. And I think he will continue in this vein when he is King—as much as the role allows.”

“I think we will see a King who is immensely relatable—despite his wealth and elite status,” she continued. “He has said in the past, if he cannot work to make some sort of difference in the world, then what’s the point of him? And I think he’s right. He has to be more than a figurehead or a mouthpiece for the country in times of crisis or jubilation. He wants and needs to use his platform to make this country a better place to live.”

Last month, Harry told the BBC that he “would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point continuing to fight anymore. Life is precious.” Bond said that though “Harry’s recent gestures are hopeful, but the reality is complicated. William seems to have made peace with moving on without Harry’s involvement.”

“William knows his reign must resonate with the public,” she added. “He’ll choose family who help him present a relatable, stable, and modern monarchy.”