Princess Anne could have saved Prince Harry from his rift with William

Prince Harry’s estrangement from his family, particularly his older brother Prince William, has become one of the most scrutinized royal storylines since he stepped back from royal duties in 2020. 

The brothers’ relationship reportedly deteriorated completely after the release of Harry’s memoir Spare in 2023, where he shared details about a physical altercation with William and painted a critical portrait of the future King.

But according to a royal insider, the Duke of Sussex may have missed an opportunity to seek guidance from someone who deeply understands his position as the “spare”, his aunt, Princess Anne.

Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Times, reports that a friend of the Princess Royal, 74, believes Harry should have turned to Anne instead of his therapist after his clash with William.

The friend told The Times: “He really ought to talk to Princess Anne. She often talked about how, as children, she was treated so differently from Charles. She was second to him and kicked further down the line of succession as a woman, but she forged her own path.

“In her twenties she was bolshy and upset about a lot of things, but she came through that. He should talk to her about her experiences. She is shrewd. She could tell him a lot about what she went through.”

Harry openly reflected on his “spare” status throughout his memoir, writing candidly about how he was made to feel like a backup to William from the very beginning of his life.

“Two years older than me, Willy was the Heir, whereas I was the Spare,” Harry wrote. “I was the shadow, the support, the Plan B… summoned to provide back-up, distraction, diversion and, if necessary, a spare part - kidney, perhaps. Blood transfusion. Speck of bone marrow."

"This was all made explicitly clear to me from the start of life's journey and regularly reinforced thereafter.”

The Duke and Prince William reportedly have not spoken in over a year. 

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