There was a time when Prince Harry and Prince William were not just brothers but appeared to be each other’s closest friends, sharing the kind of bond that seemed almost impossible to break. But those days are long gone, and despite the occasional suggestion that the family could eventually find a way forward, there is little indication that William and Kate Middleton are ready to welcome Harry and Meghan Markle back into their private lives.

The biggest problem appears to be trust, and it is something that years of family disagreements, public interviews and Harry’s revelations have done little to repair. Even with the Sussexes back in Britain, the distance between the two couples remains noticeable, and William and Kate seem determined not to let the latest developments change their position.

And the fact that Harry has returned to the UK has not suddenly changed that. If anything, it has brought the family divide back into sharper focus because the brothers are now living in the same country again, making their lack of contact even harder to ignore.

According to reports, William was not expecting Harry and Meghan to make such a significant move back to Britain, and the news reportedly caught him and Kate off guard. The couple are said to be taking a wait-and-see approach rather than rushing into any kind of reunion.

William Has Not Forgotten What Happened

For William, the problem goes much deeper than a disagreement between two brothers. Harry’s interviews, his Netflix documentary with Meghan and, perhaps most importantly, his memoir Spare have all contributed to a breakdown in their relationship that has become increasingly difficult to repair.

Harry has spoken openly about his frustrations with the royal family, including his relationship with William and the way he believes Meghan was treated after joining the monarchy. William, on the other hand, has reportedly struggled with the fact that private family matters became public stories, leaving him questioning whether he can trust his younger brother again.

According to a source quoted by Vanity Fair, trust remains a fundamental issue for the Prince of Wales, particularly when it comes to the possibility of Harry and Meghan returning to Britain and potentially seeking a more active role around the monarchy.

There are also concerns about the possibility of the Sussexes trying to establish some kind of arrangement that would allow them to remain financially independent while occasionally carrying out royal duties, something that was rejected during the Sandringham Summit in 2020.

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Kate Is Not Rushing to Rebuild the Relationship Either

Kate has always occupied an interesting position in this family disagreement because she was once close to Harry, and there was a time when the brothers and their wives appeared to get along rather well.

But whatever relationship existed between them has been affected by everything that has happened since Harry and Meghan stepped away from royal duties.

The Princess of Wales also has her own family and responsibilities to consider, and there is little reason to believe she would simply put aside years of tension because Harry is now back in Britain.

A source close to the family told PEOPLE that William and Kate are being cautious and do not want to make any rushed decisions about the Sussexes’ return. Another source acknowledged that the situation has been difficult for them, adding that it would be understandable for William to remain cautious.

Harry May Be Back, But That Does Not Mean He Is Welcome Back Into William’s Life

Perhaps the most uncomfortable part of this entire situation is that Harry’s return to Britain has not brought the brothers any closer.

Harry has previously made it clear that he would like to repair his relationship with his family, but William does not appear ready to take the same step. According to royal commentator Russell Myers, William’s position is that whatever relationship King Charles chooses to have with Harry and his family is entirely up to the King, but he does not intend to rebuild a relationship with his brother, either privately or professionally.

And that is where things stand for now. Harry may be hoping that living closer to his family will eventually open the door to reconciliation, but William and Kate have given little indication that they are prepared to forget everything that has happened.

Being brothers is one thing, but trusting each other again is something entirely different, and judging by the distance that remains between the two households, that may be the hardest part of all.