The pair would often be pictured giggling and whispering at events, and Kate became known as the ‘peacemaker’ between the two fighting brothers. But as the dynamic between Prince William and Harry soured, Harry’s friendship with Kate also appeared to crumble.

Now, the Princess reportedly wants her husband William to reconcile with his younger brother after years of dispute. A royal expert has speculated that it would be “one less cloud hanging over” the Royal Family and Kate would like nothing more than the warring siblings to “kiss and make up”.

Speaking to Fox News, royal author Christopher Andersen said: “Kate was close to Harry, true. They had a special bond. They shared the same goofy sense of humour and laughed at the same jokes. Harry often said Kate was the sister he never had.”

He continued: “Of course, Kate would like nothing better than to have the brothers kiss and make up. It would be one less cloud hanging over the Royal Family’s head.” However, Andersen added: “But above all else, Kate is loyal to her husband.” The writer claimed Kate “understands completely” why William has not healed the rift and is still angry with his brother, and is “not about to pressure” her husband when they already have so much to focus on – her cancer journey and the King’s.

It was speculated this week that Harry and William could awkwardly run into each other next month in New York. The Duke, 39, is set to embark on a solo trip to the Big Apple in September to ‘advance a number of his patronages and philanthropic initiatives’ and participate in engagements with African Parks, The HALO Trust, The Diana Award, and Travalyst.

His visit will overlap with the 2024 Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit, scheduled for September 24. The Earthshot Prize is one of William’s key areas of work, and last year he was in New York for the 2023 summit. But according to the Daily Mail’s royal correspondent Rebecca English, the brothers won’t be in in the US at the same time, as William isn’t going to the summit.

Writing on X, she said: “Re speculation regarding whether Prince William and Prince Harry will be in New York at the same time next month, the Prince of Wales isn’t going to the @EarthshotPrize event and had never planned to (I was told this back in July when the event was announced). For what it is worth, Prince William went last year, but not the year before. It really depends on his diary and commitments year to year.”

The sibling rivalry heated up following Harry and Meghan’s exit from the Royal Family in 2020. The Palace released a statement on behalf of the late Queen Elizabeth that asserted the Sussexes are “much-loved family members” but noted that “some recollections may vary” about the couple’s assertions about their time as working royals, which would be “addressed privately”.

While Harry has since returned to the UK for landmark occassions, including the funerals of his grandparents, as well as celebratory occasions such as the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the King’s Coronation, the ice has yet to thaw between the Duke and the rest of his family.

Harry and Meghan have taken various swipes at The Firm in interviews, the Duke’s memoir and TV shows. In his book Spare, Harry claimed William ‘lunged’ at him and ‘grabbed’ his shirt during an altercation at Frogmore Cottage over the former Suits star’s behaviour.

And now, Harry’s friends have suggested that he may not be invited to his brother’s coronation when William one day ascends to the throne.