Diana documentary plans could block Harry and William reconciling: experts

Prince Harry’s return to the U.K. could offer him his best chance yet to reconcile with his estranged brother, Prince William, but royal experts say a major obstacle remains in his way.

A source told People magazine that Harry’s return to Britain presents the “best opportunity” to repair his fractured relationship with Prince William.

“It would never happen with him in America,” the insider said. “This gives them [an] opportunity to try and mend that bridge.”

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But royal experts told Fox News Digital that Harry’s reported plans to consider making a documentary about Princess Diana could threaten that opening, giving the Prince of Wales another reason to remain wary of his younger brother.

“I don’t buy this,” royal broadcaster Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. “Harry says [he and his family] relocated for so many different reasons, but the main reason is clear: it’s the reported planning of the Diana documentary for the 30th anniversary.”

“This isn’t bridge building,” she said. “This is lobbing a grenade at Prince William’s feet. Prince William has said no to every Diana documentary offer. He doesn’t want to speak so openly about Diana. And also, doing this would just drain him if he was going to do it as a working royal. He doesn’t want to create publicity for Prince Harry’s documentary, and he also doesn’t want him and Harry pitted against each other as brothers.”

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“Friends also say that next year is going to be tough enough,” Chard continued. “Prince William just wants to let his mother rest in peace. So, he’s likely going to want to do something privately. Enough is enough, he thinks.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Archewell and Kensington Palace for comment.

Several royal experts previously told Fox News Digital that the brothers have not been on speaking terms since 2022.

The Times recently reported that the Prince of Wales will not make a film about Princess Diana to mark the 30th anniversary of his mother’s death in 2027, in part because he wants to avoid further conflict with Harry. According to the outlet, William has declined several offers to make or appear in documentaries about his mother.

Meanwhile, Harry is considering several projects to mark the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death, People magazine reported. According to the outlet, the Duke of Sussex has been exploring how he can “most meaningfully” honor his mother and her legacy ahead of the Aug. 31, 2027, anniversary.

Although several ideas are under discussion, People reported that no documentary has been finalized or confirmed. Harry has reached out to family members and friends connected to his late mother, several sources told the outlet.

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“If Harry wants reconciliation, can he not drop the film or give the proceeds to charity, which will change perception overnight?” Chard said. “I just don’t see healing. I see the ruffling of Prince William’s feathers. Prince William is entirely focused on his family and the long-term survival of the monarchy, but that’s not to say that things can’t change in the future.”

People reported that tensions between the brothers deepened after Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020. The relationship further deteriorated following the couple’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, their 2022 Netflix docuseries, “Harry & Meghan,” and Harry’s bestselling memoir “Spare,” published in 2023. All three projects included personal revelations about life inside the royal family.

A source told People magazine that while Harry’s relationship with his father, King Charles, is “better,” the brothers have “no contact.”

“I thought it would have perhaps eased a little bit by now, to be honest. But there has been no movement, especially on William’s side,” a source close to the family told People in July.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital he isn’t surprised by William’s apparent reluctance to reconcile with Harry.

“William deeply resents the way the Sussexes have monetized their royal connections,” he said. “The Sussexes, as non-working royals, have the advantage as they are in situ and can do what they like. This does not mean that they will be accepted by the royal family in any of their activities in the coming months. … [But] it may be impossible to totally shut them out, given the international pull of their brand.”

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The insider told People magazine that the Sussexes’ return to Britain could create more opportunities for the brothers to reconnect. Other members of the royal family, including Kate Middleton, could also encourage reconciliation, they reasoned.

“Catherine may step into that breach and try to help, too, because she knows how important family is and how important Harry is to William,” the source said. “She would want to see that healed, as any wife would. This gives them [an] opportunity to try and mend that bridge.”

However, several royal experts previously told Fox News Digital that the Princess of Wales has reportedly shown no interest in being drawn into the brothers’ rift, preferring instead to focus on her family and supporting the monarchy.

For William, the biggest obstacle to reconciliation is reportedly a lack of trust.

“While Harry might wish to reconcile, the consequences of his divulging private family grievances, as well as monetizing it all can never be undone,” British royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. “…Reconciliation will become harder, if not impossible, upon William’s ascension to the throne.”

A source told People magazine that the king could play a key role in reconciling his sons. People reported that the monarch “welcomed the news of Harry’s return” after being informed of the family’s plans to return to the U.K. just days before they became public.

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“He will want to see his sons together over time,” the source said of the king. “This is the best opportunity we have seen in recent years. … It’s wonderful for the king to have his son home and to spend time with his grandchildren.”

Royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital that the king could intervene by asking William to consider reconciliation. However, he warned that William “is too entrenched in his ways.”

Whether or not Harry moves forward with a documentary honoring his mother’s legacy, another potential test of the brothers’ relationship could come during the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, England.

“The Invictus Games will be held in Birmingham in July,” Fitzwilliams said. “It is a fine military charity, and the king is head of the armed forces. What happens will be very important indeed. And next year does mark 30 years since Princess Diana’s tragic death. The way that it is commemorated could deepen the rift between the brothers, or it could mean a form of reconciliation takes place.”

In a May 2025 interview with the BBC, Harry said he would “love reconciliation with my family.”

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“There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.”