Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit to Australia has allegedly fueled further tension with his estranged brother, Prince William.
On April 16, the Duke of Sussex spoke about giving up his former role as a senior working royal while at the InterEdge Summit.
“I was like, ‘I don’t want this job. I don’t want this role — wherever this is headed, I don’t like it,’” Harry said at the time.
Despite his candor, his remarks didn’t sit well with the Prince of Wales.
“There is a quasi royal vibe with these trips and it’s confusing,” a source told Us Weekly Wednesday. “It seems they are trading on old connections in a way that shouldn’t be acceptable because they are no longer working members of the royal family.”
The insider also explained that there is “frustration over the royal tours they are doing,” adding that William and his wife, Kate Middleton, are continuously blindsided by Markle and Harry’s next move.
“It’s taking steps forward then steps back,” they continued. “Their media omnipresence is something that has created continued strain. It’s been a barrier to repair the relationship. Just when the flames of controversy die down they have an uncanny ability to start another one.”
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The source went on to confirm that the brothers “remain distant,” explaining, “There hasn’t been any communication. They will eventually figure it out, but there is still distance there.”
William, who has “firm boundaries,” is allegedly “not pushing for a reunion” at this time.
Despite the claims, a source insisted to Page Six that “the rumors aren’t in any way accurate.”
Page Six has reached out to a rep for Harry and Kensington Palace for comment.
On April 14, Harry and Markle kicked off their visit to Australia at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne — 40 years after Princess Diana visited during her own royal tour.
Throughout their visit, Harry and Markle met with veterans’ families at the Australian National Veterans’ Art Museum and served food at the Homeless Services for Women Centre. They wrapped up their tour after visiting Canberra and Sydney.
The couple last visited Australia during a 2018 royal tour.
Two years later, after stepping away from their royal duties, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated to Montecito, California, where they live with their two children: Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.
Meanwhile, despite Harry not yet reconnecting with William, he met up with his father, King Charles, for the first time in two years in September.
The 53-minute “private tea” took place at the King’s London home, Clarence House.
The Sun claimed that the “King’s door remains open for another private cup of tea next time Harry is back in London.”
