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And although Meghan Markle’s remarks to high-profile figures such as Oprah Winfrey have given William and his side more reason to battle, Harry seemed headed for disaster with his recent return to the U.K.
As a result, royal family watchers wondered if both Harry and William could AVOID more discord at the unveiling of their late mother’s, Princess Diana, statue unveiling?
Find out below what experts and insiders say about the events leading up to that ceremony below, and what happened at Prince Diana’s statue unveiling.
Prince Harry – First Return To U.K. Dashed Hopes For Royal Family Healing?
Royal family watchers initially hoped that Prince Harry’s return to the U.K. for the funeral of Prince Philip would build a bridge (albeit a fragile one) to renewing his relationships with his brother, William; father, Prince Charles, and grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.
But alas.
The hoped-for healing did not occur in Harry’s first return to the U.K. after his and Meghan Markle’s exit. Some thought that a positive sign, though, occurred when Harry and William first left St. George’s Chapel.
But when the two princes stepped inside the castle and the cameras were forbidden, the two began quarreling once more, an insider told The Daily Mail.
“There they were, at each other’s throats as fiercely as ever,” said the source.
“The rage and anger between those two has grown so incredibly deep. Too many harsh and wounding things have been said.”
As a result, some thought that Prince Harry’s second return to the U.K. would only fuel his feud with William.
Prince Harry And Prince William Surprise At Princess Diana’s Statue Unveiling
But what happened during Prince Harry’s second return to the U.K. since Megxit surprised all those who made predictions of disaster.
Rumors had swirled that the princely brothers would attempt a joint speech. Such a “you-and-me, bro” attempt could have turned into a disaster. And similarly, a disaster could have occurred if Harry and William gave competing speeches.
Instead, the two managed to agree to disagree.
“They demonstrated a constructive way of dealing with differences,” royal historian Robert Lacey told People magazine.
Instead of living up to all the dire predictions, Harry and William focused on honoring their late mother, Princess Diana, at the ceremony.
“[They were] not sweeping [their differences] under the carpet but acknowledging more important things and doing that in a way that warmed everyone’s heart,” pointed out Lacey.
And another royal family expert agreed.
Ken Wharfe headed up the protection of William, Harry, and their mother Princess Diana in the 1980s. What he observed warmed his heart.
The ceremony honoring Harry’s and William’s mother ” was their idea and it was a joint effort,” noted Wharfe.
And Lacey also praised the royal brothers for showing “their public style, both on their own and individually.”
In their statement that the two authored, William and Harry said: “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 her legacy.”
Analyzing that statement, Lacey called it a “very well-judged decision not to have speeches. The idea of rival speeches could have been disastrous, but to bring out a considered joint statement was perfect and shows a way ahead.”
Keep checking Celebrating The Soaps for more Royal Family news and Prince Harry and Prince William updates.