‘They are poles apart’: William and Harry’s separate statements reflect growing rift, according to royal experts

The Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Cambridge have released separate statements in response to the death of their grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, which has led royal experts to believe that the alleged rift between the brothers is worse than previously thought.

Prince Philip died on Friday 9 April at the age of 99 in Windsor Castle.

On Monday, Prince Harry released a statement through his non-profit organisation, Archewell, saying: “He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the monarch, a decorated serviceman, a prince and a duke.

“But to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right ’til the end.”

Prince William’s statement, released via Kensington Palace, was more formal in tone and saw him described as “an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation”.

The brothers are expected to join other members of the royal family at Prince Philip’s funeral at Windsor Castle on Saturday.

However, it’s unclear how the duo will get along on the day given that they are said to have grown apart in recent years, with royal experts saying that their separate statements following Prince Philip’s death are indicative of the growing divide between the brothers.

The sentiment of each statement was notably different, too, with each of the brothers making it very clear that they were speaking for their own independent families.

“Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted and will support the Queen in the years ahead,” Prince William said.

Meanwhile, Harry’s statement did not make any such promise and instead pointed to how his grandfather would be remembered.

“He has been a rock for Her Majesty the Queen with unparalleled devotion, by her side for 73 years of marriage, and while I could go on, I know that right now he would say to all of us, beer in hand, ‘Oh do get on with it!’” he said.

“Meghan, Archie and I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always hold a special place for you in our hearts,” he added.

Speaking to The Independent, Ingrid Seward, author of Prince Philip Revealed: A man of his century, said: “The princes different statements simply serve to remind us that these two brothers now live in circles that are poles apart.

“Different rules, different lifestyles and almost a different language. Harry is now a stranger in his old world.”

“I feel quite sure that William’s final words carried a message for his brother,” the royal author Robert Lacey told The Times.

“I am only surprised that the message should have been so strong and obvious. It is very much the sting in the tail — and it suggests to me that the differences between the brothers will not be easily resolved by a single encounter at the wake.”

However, royal commentator Omid Scobie, who also co-wrote the Harry and Meghan biography Finding Freedom, has said that Prince William’s statement was not at all aimed as a dig at his brother.

“I think for us on the outside it might look like that but I think we have to remember that that is William’s role, he is the future head of state and so he is really thinking about getting back to work,” Scobie said on Good Morning Britain. “I don’t think it was anything aimed at his brother.” 

“In fact I think across the board in the royal family right now everyone is really looking at putting differences aside to focus on what matters and that’s focusing on Prince Philip’s life and legacy but also rallying around the Queen during her time of need.”

Rumours of Harry and William’s alleged rift came to a head last month after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which they accused a member of the royal family of making a racist remark about the colour of their unborn child’s skin.

Shortly after the interview aired, CBS News presenter Gayle King revealed that the two brothers had spoken on the phone.

However Ms King said that talks were “unproductive” and that nobody from the Royal Family had yet spoken to the Duchess of Sussex.

She told CBS This Morning: “I did actually call [the Sussexes] to see how they were feeling, and it’s true, Harry has talked to his brother and he has talked to his father too. The word I was given was that those conversations were not productive. 

“And I think what is still upsetting to them is the palace keep saying they want to work it out privately, but yet, they believe these false stories are coming out that are very disparaging against Meghan, still.”

However, some people are hopeful that Prince Philip’s funeral will be an opportunity for the two brothers to reconcile.

Commenting on the issue on Sunday, Sir John Major told BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show that the funeral is an “ideal” chance for Harry and William to come together and put the past behind them.

“The friction that we are told has arisen is a friction better ended as speedily as possible,” he said.

“And a shared emotion, a shared grief because of the death of their grandfather, I think is an ideal opportunity.

“I hope very much it is possible to mend any rift that may exist.”