Prince Williamβs relationship with his younger brother, Prince Harry, has reportedly reached a new low, with tensions escalating since Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped down from their royal duties and relocated to the U.S. The latest point of contention? The Sussexesβ continued use of the name βKateβ to refer to the Princess of Wales, despite her preference to be called βCatherine.β

According to a report by The Daily Beast, a source close to the Prince of Wales revealed that William was left βfumingβ after Harry and Meghan sent a get-well-soon message to the princess following her cancer diagnosis, addressing her as βKateβ rather than her chosen name, Catherine. The princess had publicly stated her preference to go by her full name, yet the Sussexesβ message read, βWe wish health and healing for Kate and the family and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.β
The insider disclosed that William found the move deeply disrespectful, especially given the context. βThe fact that Harry and Meghan were unable to bring themselves to use her chosen name, even when they were sending her get-well-soon messages after her cancer diagnosis, was noted,β the source said. βWilliam takes offense at people calling Catherine βKateβ because she has asked to be known as Catherine. Itβs a fairly simple wish to respect.β
The issue, while seemingly trivial, reportedly βpushes Williamβs buttonsβ and has further strained the already tense relationship between the brothers. The source added, βPushing his buttons while he was going through his wifeβs cancer seemed an entirely unnecessary and deliberate irritation.β
The tension over the use of Catherineβs name isnβt the only issue driving a wedge between the brothers. According to The Sunday Times, William has already started planning for his future coronation and has indicated that he doesnβt want Harry to attend. βThey are estranged, which is dreadfully sad,β a close source told the outlet, noting that the brothers havenβt spoken in nearly two years.
Royal expert Christopher Andersen, author ofΒ The King, expressed his hope that William would not exclude his brother from such a significant event. βDespite all the bad blood between the brothers, Iβm convinced that, when the time does come, William will not be foolish enough to exclude his only sibling, now fifth in line to the throne, from his coronation,β Andersen said.
However, Andersen also acknowledged the deep divide that currently exists within the royal family. βThings probably have never been worse between the brothers than they are now,β he noted. βWilliam and Charles have pretty much made the joint decision to effectively cut Harry out of their lives, at least for the time being. There is no sign of a reconciliation on the horizon, and everyone involved seems to have pretty much come to terms with that.β
The ongoing health crises affecting both Williamβs wife and father have reportedly made it easier for him to distance himself from Harry. βItβs just been so much easier for William, facing the pressure of having to cope with his wifeβs, as well as his fatherβs cancer diagnoses, to slam the door on Harry,β Andersen explained.
With no resolution in sight, the rift between the once-close brothers seems likely to continue, with William focused on his future as king and Harry and Meghan pursuing their lives in California. The question remains whether time will heal these wounds or whether the rift will become a permanent fixture in the royal familyβs history.