The Duke of Sussex once described his sister-in-law as “the sister I’ve never had and always wanted” – but the pair have grown apart in recent years since the Sussexes very public split from the Royal Family
Throughout the years, Prince Harry had shared a particularly close bond with his sister-in-law Kate Middleton, going as far as to call her “the sister I’ve never had and always wanted” in his memoir, Spare.
The direction of their relationship has changed notably since the Duke of Sussex’s public departure from the Royal Family alongside his wife and former Suits actress Meghan Markle. And now an influential Royal commentator has highlighted Harry’s possible feelings about losing his connection with Kate and his current priorities.
Jennie Bond, former BBC Royal correspondent, told OK!: “Who knows what goes on in Harry’s heart or mind? “.
Further elaborating, Jennie stated: “I’m sure he must feel sad that he is estranged from two people who were once so important in his life [William and Kate], but he must surely have come to accept that he is the one who has deepened the rift with his allegations, publications and revelations.
“He probably does miss her but he has the woman who is the most important in his life and, understandably, he is prioritising Meghan over everyone and everything else.”
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Jennie’s remarks follow Royal author Tom Quinn’s assertion that the absence of his sister-in-law will be a tough blow for Harry. “He really misses that warm, uncomplicated relationship, and he is torn between loyalty to his wife and regret about the loss of the woman he was so close to. Losing Kate was Harry’s second great loss after losing his mother,” Tom shared with The Mirror.
The Duke of Sussex is set to return to the UK next month to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games with a service at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8. Although Prince Harry last visited London earlier this year following the news of King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, it remains uncertain whether he will spend time with any family members.
Harry inaugurated the games in March 2014 at the Copper Box arena in London as a tribute to injured servicemen and women. He is currently engaged in “government-level talks” regarding the possibility of the UK hosting the games again, following the British government’s £26million bid to bring the games to Birmingham in 2027.
An insider told the Express that the 10th anniversary service in London is perceived as a stepping stone for Harry and Meghan to gradually reintegrate into public life.
“This event is being seen as a very important part of Harry and Meghan’s rehabilitation,” the source revealed. “It’s viewed as an important event that is almost on par with what a working royal would undertake.”
“It’s a worthy cause where Harry is the key ambassador, and it will be a good starting point for the Sussexes to repair relations with the royal family and the British people at the same time.”
