Moment Harry and William desperately needed

It’s been a royal war, the likes we haven’t seen since the Diana versus Charles days. But one moment could end Harry and William’s public feud.

COMMENT

Almost 25 years ago to the day, the world’s hearts collectively ached as they watched the young princes William and Harry trail their mother’s coffin through the streets of London, heads bowed, grief etched onto their faces.

A lot of life has happened between now and then – but this week, once again, we all watched on as the royal brothers, heads bowed, took their places side-by-side to mourn another beloved family member.

If you’re wondering how that fits with protocol, think about this: just last year, the Duke of Sussex and his brother were separated behind their grandfather Prince Philip’s coffin by their cousin, Peter Philips.

It’s hard not to read into that as a significant and strategic decision, given it came about a month after Harry and Meghan’s bombshell tell-all interview about their royal life with Oprah Winfrey.

Prince Philip, Prince William, Earl Charles Spencer, Prince Harry with then-Prince Charles walking in procession behind Diana’s coffin in 1997.

William and Harry walked side-by-side behind King Charles and Princess Anne. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/Pool/AFP

It’s no secret the two sides have been at war.

Not since the unprecedented levels of tabloid weaponising of then-Prince Charles and Diana in the ‘90s have we had a royal drama play out so publicly, with a steady leak of stories and opinions from sources claiming to be “close” to both sides somehow making their way into the news.

When it comes to the once-close William and Harry, the point of no return in their relationship seemed to pass by some time ago (probably around the time of the Oprah interview).

But then the Queen died.

And things have shifted in the days since.

Tensions are still fraught – and it’s highly unlikely the once-Fab Four are catching up for a late-night drink – but even from the outside, it’s clear the ice has started to melt.

There was the very unexpected reunion of William, Kate, Harry and Meghan on Saturday, where they greeted mourners in a united front.

A very welcome sight for many. Picture: Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Couple that with William and Harry’s decision to walk together behind the Queen’s coffin.

Then add in the outpouring of grief and sympathy for the royal family, which has seen a very significant public softening toward the Duke of Sussex, whose popularity has taken a shocking nosedive in recent years, and we’ve got a unique – and one-off – opportunity.

It seems, after a lifetime of service, one of the Queen’s final acts has been to provide the perfect climate for a much-needed reconciliation between the warring camps.

The brothers and their wives have been estranged in recent years. Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

For those mourning her loss here in London, it’s certainly what they’re hoping for.

“I definitely think the Queen’s death has brought the family back together for now, let’s hope it stays like that,” Shelley, 18, from Leicester told news.com.au.

“I think they both (Harry and William) just need to come together – now is the time, moments like this bring people together,” Stefan, 29, of London said.

“For the family, I hope they can mend things. I would hope they would,” 69-year-old Norman from Berkshire explained.

And who should take the next step?

“I think it’s got to be mutual, they’re brothers and I’m sure they adore one another and I think now (after the Queen’s death), they can get past it,” Holly, 37, of London told news.com.au.

“Hopefully they will sort their problems out. This is the perfect opportunity for them to come together and just be a really strong support network for Charles and the rest of the family, and for each other.”

Members of the public grieving the loss of the Queen are hoping to see a royal reconciliation. Picture: Oli Scarff/AFP

And as Brighton-based resident Eamon, 41, summed up: “I don’t see why they can’t work it out now – grief brings people together.”

There’s a long road ahead, and with the complexities that come with being among the most heavily-scrutinised figures on the planet, it’s not an easy one.

But at a time where millions have paused to share in their grief and with the public willing to cut the royals some extra slack, there could be no more opportune moment for William and Harry – and their wives – to follow their lead.

Originally published as Moment Harry and William desperately needed