Fans of Princess Diana have already begun to gather near Kensington Palace
On Thursday in London, Princes William and Harry will together unveil a monument to their mother, Princess Diana of Wales, who would have turned 60 on July 1. But what is the relationship between the brothers today – and what will the future hold for them?
“We are connected to each other for the rest of our days.” This is how Harry answered in 2018 when asked about his relationship with his older brother.
A lot has changed since then. They may still be connected, but lately their paths have diverged further and further.
The opening of the monument takes place against the background of serious problems in the family. William and Harry will feign unity, but the close relationship between the brothers is destroyed.
- Princess, journalist and BBC: how Martin Bashir took a sensational interview with Princess Diana
- Prince Harry: I drank to numb the pain of my mom's death
- Princes William and Harry reject reports of conflict between them
Informed sources claim that communication between brothers is minimized with mutual discontent and distrust.
Princess Diana with William (he is 9 years old here) and seven-year-old Harry near Niagara Falls
Diana with her sons in a park in Surrey, 1993
Rereading the interviews that William and Harry gave over the years, it is impossible to get rid of the thought: “How did they come to this life?”
Yes, there was a childish rivalry between brothers. Yes, there was mutual teasing. And yes, there were fights.
But the close connection between the two was obvious. They were united by a common grief and a common attempt to cope with it. Everything they said about each other showed love and affection.
Yet the seemingly inseparable bonds weakened.
Why?
It is a complex and deeply personal story, much of which was not played out in front of the public. They had disagreements over Prince Harry's wife Meghan, assistants, community roles, duty, and plans for the future.
Princes Harry and William during November 2019 Memorial Service in London
Robert Lacey analyzed what went wrong in his book, Battle of Brothers.
“The British royal family doesn't have to be perfect,” he said. “And the fact that the brothers are not friends at the moment does not negate the value and importance of the royal family.
But so far there are no signs of such reconciliation. The wounds are deep. It will take time to cure them, as the knowledgeable people told me.
Of course, the brothers are united in terms of the monument and in general everything connected with the legacy of their mother. William and Harry jointly commissioned the monument and supervised the progress of the work.
Existing monuments
This sculpture, titled Innocent Victims, was in London's Harrods store from 2005 to 2018. She depicts Diana and Dodi Al-Fayed, who died with her in a car accident.
This is the official memorial to Princess Diana in London's Hyde Park. The fountain was opened in 2004 by Queen Elizabeth II.
“I think the opening ceremony will be very emotional,” says Tessie Oyo, head of the Diana Prize Foundation. “The sons' thoughts will focus on the mother, and this is very significant. We will see her through their eyes.”
The Royal Sun photographer Arthur Edwards has watched the Windsor life through his lens for 45 years. He saw everything – the popular adoration of Diana and sincere sympathy for her sons after the death of the princess. On the opening day of the statue, he is especially sad.
“I would say this: if it doesn’t melt the ice between them, then nothing will melt it,” he told me.
Films are available for viewing only in Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
“This is their mother, the person whom they loved more than anyone else in the world … and if they do not understand what a great moment this is and do not shake hands, do not find a kind word for each other – what can you do?”
The appearance of William and Harry next to their mother's statue and their childhood home, Kensington Palace, will awaken many memories.
Princess Diana continues to influence the royal family to this day. The statue will be a recognition of this fact – as well as a new pilgrimage site in London.
Those who know William and Harry hope that today will bring something more. That, under the gaze of their mother, they will be able to put aside mutual scores and disappointments and begin to heal their wounds.
