What Princes William and Harry must do to repair relationship

William and Harry’s display of unity at the Diana statue unveiling barely conceals the true state of affairs between the brothers as insiders point to clues.

Prince Harry has begun his journey back to Meghan Markle in L.A. after standing with William to pay tribute to their mum Princess Diana.

The brothers, who have unveiled a statue for Princess Diana, were pictured together ahead of the poignant ceremony.

It was the first time the brothers have seen each other face-to-face since Prince Philip’s funeral in April - and the pair seemed to be in good spirits while enjoying each other’s company.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (L) and Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the unveiling of a statue of their mother, Princess Diana at The Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace. Picture:

But body language expert Judi James claims Harry was filled with “inner tension” during the unveiling, which one clue gave away, according to The Sun.

“Harry’s hand reached to touch his wedding ring, which is a self-comfort gesture suggesting some inner tension.

“Although it also hinted how much he sees his family as a source of support.”

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge speak with garden designer Pip Morrison. Picture: Getty Images

It was an emotional day with princes collaborating on this message:

“Today, on what would have been our Mother’s 60th birthday, we remember her love, strength and character – qualities that made her a force for good around the world, changing countless lives for the better.

“Every day we wish she were still with us and our hope is that this statue will be seen forever as a symbol of her life and legacy.

“Thank you to Ian Rank-Broadley, Pip Morrison and their teams for their outstanding work, to the friends and donors who helped make this happen and to all those around the world who keep our mother’s memory alive.”

July 1, 2021 would have been Diana’s 60th birthday and Princes William and Harry set aside their differences to unveil a new statue of their mother. Picture: AFP

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (left) and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex after they unveiled a statue they commissioned of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales. Picture: Getty Images

Royal photographer, Arthur Edwards, has also weighed in on the rift between the two princes, saying: “If they had wanted more people there for the unveiling they could have done it somehow.

“It is sad the Queen, Prince Charles and other members of the Royal Family who were close to Diana can’t be there.

“I believe the on-going friction between William and Harry is the real reason so few people have been invited. In many ways I find that unacceptable.”

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex during the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother Diana. Picture: Getty Images

It comes as the brothers reunited to unveil a statue in memory of their mother – but will it be enough to heal the brothers’ stony relationship?

As Prince William and Prince Harry united in Kensington Palace gardens to mark what would have been Diana’s 60th birthday, the ceremony was a moving occasion, as they officially unveiled the statue by leading British sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, known for his lifelike figures and whose image of the Queen is on all UK coins.

The statue stands in the palace’s Sunken Garden – a place full of memories for Harry, 36 and William, 39.

Prince William and Prince Harry arrived for the unveiling of the Diana statue together. Picture: Dominic Lipinski

This was where Harry and Meghan posed so happily for the announcement of their engagement in November 2017.

Who could have known just four years later, Harry would be back in the same spot barely on speaking terms with his brother.

Members of the public view the statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace. Picture: Jonathan Brady-WPA Pool/Getty Images

The statue of Princess Diana at The Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace, a day after Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex unveiled the statue. Picture: AFP

The gardens are where the brothers often played as young boys, running around, throwing stones in the pond and feeding the fish.

It is also the location which meant so much to their mother. Diana would spend a lot of time in the gardens, jogging, playing with her sons, or just seeking some solace.

Royal insiders hope this occasion can finally help heal the rift between William and Harry, following Harry and Meghan’s explosive revelations on Oprah.

But it won’t happen quickly, says the UK Telegraph’s royal reporter Camilla Tominey.

“We are overstating it if we think this one event can somehow bring them together after what has been an extremely fractious few years and with their relationship still nowhere near what it was,” she says.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (L) and Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex with the statue of their mother, Princess Diana. Picture: AFP

Just like at their grandfather’s funeral, the brothers knew they had to put on a public show of unity, she says, so their relationship didn’t overshadow the focus of the day, but it’s not clear if this is a ceasefire or permanent declaration of peace.

Long-term, royal commentators say, William will have to “rise above it” like his grandmother, the Queen, has done for a lifetime, while Harry needs to show he is open to reconciliation, stop lobbing truth bombs and sharing private conversations afterwards to the American press.

Flags, balloons and messages left by royal fans at Kensington Palace. Picture: Leon Neal

“They are brothers who are united in their love for their mother. I think the ceremony will help a little in mending the rift between William and Harry, but any type of healing will be erased if conversations they have get leaked, as other conversations have been in the US media,” says Brittani Barger, deputy editor of Royal Central.

Harry made a surprise appearance at the WellChild Awards on Wednesday in London and earlier paid tribute to his mother via a video message at the Diana Award ceremony.

He said Diana believed young people “had the power to change the world” and added he hoped it would inspire people to “be part of a future where humanity is cherished” and where people were considerate and compassionate to each other.

The ceremony, at least, showed Harry and William cared, but only they can shape their future, with compassion.

Originally published as What Princes William and Harry must do to repair relationship