Prince William and Prince Harry are living in the same country again, but their relationship remains largely unchanged.
A new PEOPLE cover story reports that the brothers remain estranged and have had no direct contact since Harry, Meghan Markle and their children returned to Britain. Royal historian Amanda Foreman described the relationship as having moved from a “hot war” into a “very, very cold war.”
Harry, Meghan, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet arrived back in the U.K. on August 26 after more than six years based primarily in California. Their return has placed the unresolved family dispute much closer to William and Kate Middleton’s daily lives, with one palace insider telling PEOPLE that the situation has been “magnified” by the Sussexes’ presence in Britain.
Harry’s relationship with King Charles has followed a different path. Charles reunited with Harry, Meghan and their children during a July visit and has spoken with Harry since the family’s August return, while PEOPLE reports that William and Harry still have no direct contact.
The Brothers’ Rift Is Now Described as a ‘Very, Very Cold War’
Foreman used the Cold War comparison to describe a dispute that is no longer playing out through the same level of public confrontation seen in earlier years. Harry discussed the royal family extensively in his memoir Spare and in interviews surrounding its publication, while William has rarely addressed their relationship publicly.
Sources quoted by PEOPLE say the brothers remain estranged despite Harry’s previous statements that he would like to repair family relationships. One palace source described the experiences behind the rupture as particularly difficult for William and Kate and said William remains cautious.
The brothers were both present at a memorial service for their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes in Norfolk in August 2024. PEOPLE previously reported that they sat apart and did not interact during the service, which remains their most recent publicly known appearance at the same family event.
Russell Myers, author of William and Catherine, told PEOPLE that William views Charles’ relationship with Harry as the King’s own decision. Myers also said that, based on his understanding of William’s position, the Prince of Wales does not currently envision a private or working relationship with the Sussexes.
Harry’s Return Has Put the Family Divide Much Closer to Home
Harry and Meghan had lived primarily in California since stepping back as working members of the royal family in 2020. William and Kate remained in Britain with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, allowing the two households to operate thousands of miles apart for most of the past six years.
That changed when the Sussex family arrived in Britain on August 26 for an extended stay. The Guardian reported that Harry and Meghan planned to live in a private, non-royal residence while retaining their Montecito home. They have not resumed official royal duties.
A palace insider told PEOPLE that the geographical change has brought the unresolved relationship back into sharper focus for William and Kate. The source said the dispute had been easier to view from a distance while Harry and Meghan lived in California but is now directly in front of the family again.
The move also increases the possibility that the two households could find themselves attending the same family occasions in the future. Foreman noted that even parties in a Cold War eventually encounter one another at major events, although there is currently no announced meeting between the brothers.
Harry Has Reopened Communication With King Charles
Harry’s relationship with Charles has shown more movement. Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet met the King and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House in July, marking Charles’ first meeting with Meghan and the children in four years.
Harry had previously told the BBC in May 2025 that he wanted reconciliation with his family. At the time, he said Charles was not speaking to him as their dispute over Harry’s security arrangements in Britain continued.
Following the Sussex family’s return, PEOPLE reported that Charles and Harry spoke by phone during Harry’s first week back in Britain. They have not met again in person since the August move, according to the outlet.
The renewed communication has not extended to William. PEOPLE’s September 15 reporting continues to describe the brothers as having no direct contact, separating Harry’s gradual progress with his father from the continuing estrangement with his older brother.
William and Kate Are Concentrating on Their Family and Royal Work
Royal author Simon Vigar told PEOPLE that William and Kate regard the renewed attention surrounding Harry and Meghan as a “sideshow and ancient history” while concentrating on their children and official work.
Kate has continued increasing her public engagements following her cancer treatment, while the Wales family recently experienced another major change at home. Prince George began boarding school at Eton College on September 8, with William and Kate accompanying their eldest son on his first day.
An earlier PEOPLE report said William and Kate were resisting an immediate reaction to Harry and Meghan’s return and taking a private approach to the situation. A source described any possible rebuilding of the relationship as something that would require time because of the mistrust that remains.
Harry and Meghan are also dealing with changes involving their children. Reuters reported on September 14 that Archie and Lilibet would change schools after two days because Harry and Meghan’s security team raised concerns about the distance and traffic involved in the daily journey. The couple’s spokesperson said the decision concerned security logistics and was not a criticism of the school or its staff.