Prince Harry’s UK Visit Is a “Source of Deep Irritation” for Prince William
ROYALSPrince Harry’s UK Visit Is a “Source of Deep Irritation” for Prince William
According to a source, Prince William is annoyed that King Charles is “bending over backwards” to welcome his wayward America-based son.
By Katie NichollJune 23, 2026
Prince William and Prince Harry in September 2022Mark Kerrison/Getty ImagesPrince William will not see Prince Harry and Meghan Markle when they return to the United Kingdom next month. While King Charles is said to be clearing his schedule to see grandchildren Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, whom he has not seen in four years, relations between his sons remain at an all-time low.
According to recent reports, Charles has offered to provide the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with royal accommodations and to fund the family’s security arrangements while they are in the UK. Now sources close to William say the fact that the king is “bending over backwards” to facilitate Harry’s trip to the UK has caused friction between Charles and his eldest son.
King Charles and Prince William
Samir HusseinWhile palace aides deny any fallout between Charles and William, it is understood that William has made his feelings about any reconciliation clear to his father. “William is known to hold a grudge, and more than that, he cannot forgive his brother for what Harry has put his family through,” one source tells Vanity Fair.
According to a well-placed source, William believes his brother crossed a line in both his 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey and his autobiography, Spare, in which he shared, among other things, intimate details about his and Meghan’s relationship with Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Sydney, Australia in April 2026
JONATHAN BRADY/Getty ImagesThough Harry will be in the UK to promote the Invictus Games, which will take place in Birmingham in July 2027, sources close to him and Meghan have confirmed that she and their two children will be traveling along with him. Harry will use the opportunity to introduce Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, to both sides of his family. “Harry wants to bring the kids to see his family—not just the Windsors, but the Spencers too,” says an insider. “He wants to spend time with the wider family. This has been on the cards for some time. Next year would have been the obvious time, when the Invictus Games take place in Birmingham, but for whatever reason, it is happening this summer.
“Harry is, and has for some time been, very keen to have the kids come over to the UK. There’s been a feeling of such sadness that he’s not been able to bring them to the UK.”
While Harry has told friends that he cannot wait to bring his family back to the UK, there will be no olive branch meeting with William and Kate. “William won’t be seeing his brother. I suspect he will make sure he’s miles away when Harry visits to avoid any awkward encounters,” a source says. “Harry has tried to make contact repeatedly, but William won’t take his calls. He is not minded to a reconciliation at all, and the fact that his father is bending over backwards to make Harry’s visit happen has become the source of deep irritation for William.”
Sources close to William say he feels his father is making a mistake by welcoming Harry back into the fold. “William is known to hold a grudge, whereas Charles just wants peace,” a family friend says. “They come to the Harry situation from different perspectives. Charles is of the view that one must forgive and move on. William won’t do that. Not yet and maybe never.”
More Great Stories From Vanity Fair
Blackpink’s Lisa Pulls Back the Curtain on the Life of a K-Pop Showgirl
Why The World Ignores Genocide in Sudan
-
Ben Shapiro Has No Regrets. Except Hiring Candace Owens
VF Experts Predict the 2026 Emmy Nominations
How Paul R. Williams Put His Stamp on Los Angeles and Beyond
Taylor Swift’s Wedding, According to Prediction Markets
Exclusive: José Mourinho’s First Interview Since His Sensational Return to Real Madrid
How Trump’s Radical Presidency Went Off the Rails
Ta-Nehisi Coates on Kamala Harris’s Silence on Gaza and the Next Black President
Exclusive: Trouble Behind the Scenes at Alex Cooper’s Media Empire
The 25 Best Movies to Watch on Netflix This June
From the Archive: The Perks and Perils of Being Donald Trump’s Daughter
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
