Prince William has received a warning from royal historian Tessa Dunlop in The i Paper regarding his rift with estranged brother Harry, which could jeopardize the future of the monarchy.
Dunlop argues that at its best, the Royal Family serves as the nation’s symbolic repository during times of division. “Yet any hopes of that will be dashed if he cannot bring himself to offer Harry a rapprochement,” she writes. She emphasizes, “Forgiveness is an essential prerequisite for a future defender of the faith.”
Speaking on the decline in support for the monarchy and its future prospects, Dunlop notes: “To have any chance of halting the Royal Family’s decline, ‘Willy’ needs to set aside his differences and offer ‘Harold’ an olive branch.” While such reconciliation would likely cause William significant pain, she believes the benefits could be substantial.
Dunlop also highlights that setting Harry back into the fold would position William as a “redemptive Prince,” someone well-suited to broaden the monarchy’s appeal for future generations. Yet, she expresses regret at viewing this scenario merely as a pipe dream.