Prince William is blocking Harry’s potential return to royal fold ‘to protect’ Kate Middleton: expert

New claims have emerged in the wake of speculation that Prince Harry could step back into royal duties to help out his sick father.

Prince William isn't keen to welcome his brother back to the royal fold, according to reports.

Prince William has blocked any chance of Prince Harry’s return to the royal fold in a desperate attempt to protect his wife, Kate Middleton, according to a royal expert.

The Prince of Wales, 41, has apparently made it clear to his estranged younger brother that he’s no longer welcome to return as a working royal after he and his wife, Meghan Markle, shut the door on royal life in 2020, reports the New York Post.

“Prince William has his own private turmoil,” royal expert and commentator Helena Chard told Fox News.

“He knows his brother well and certainly won’t allow him to breeze back into the family as he doesn’t trust him.”

The Duke of Sussex, 39, last week dished on his father King Charles’ cancer diagnosis in an interview with Good Morning America, where he hinted that the recent health woes could have a “reunifying effect” on his family.

However, his sentiment was reportedly not reciprocated by William, the heir to the throne, who is making his wife’s post-surgery recovery a priority.

“Prince William is also hugely protective of [his wife] Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and will not let anything interfere with her recuperation,” Chard added.

William is “hugely protective” of his wife. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

It’s believed that the brothers are no longer on speaking terms, and did not see each other during Harry’s 24-hour trip to home soil earlier this month.

“There’s one huge obstacle in Harry’s way, and that’s Prince William,” royal expert Kinsey Schofield also told the outlet. “Harry will not be allowed to return in any capacity if Prince William has any influence over the situation.”

“William understands that Harry and Meghan don’t properly consider the consequences and aren’t trustworthy. They are a liability to the family,” he added.

The Post has reached out to Kensington Palace for comment.

While Charles has reportedly softened toward his youngest son, William remains disinterested in repairing the relationship. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

It appears that William and his father share a similar stance on Harry’s return to the royal fold, as sources close to the monarch last week said he’s “firmly of the opinion” that Harry can’t return as a working member of the Firm.

“Have the king and Harry been speaking? Yes. Does this mean a return to the fold even on a temporary basis? No,” a source told the Daily Mail.

Another insider added, “Aside from a small number of investitures, the king does not plan to offload a great number of duties on other family members while he undergoes treatment.”

Despite that, insiders claim that Charles, 75, would be open to fixing his damaged relationship with his younger son.

During his interview on GMA on Friday, Harry said, “I think any illness, any sickness brings families together. Look, I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that.”

It’s since been said that the royal family was “not thrilled” over Harry’s decision to speak about his father’s health woes on national television.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission.