Since 2018, the royal family has undergone significant changes, especially with the departure of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from their royal duties and their relocation to America.

This shift has placed more focus on the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince William and Catherine, who have taken center stage in fulfilling royal responsibilities and public engagements.

As the number of royals actively involved in public duties has decreased, those remaining, including William and Catherine, have become the primary figures representing the monarchy.

The past few years have been challenging for the royal family, particularly due to ongoing tensions between Prince Harry and Prince William. Harry’s battles in the legal arena and his tell-all memoirs have put considerable strain on their once-close relationship. However, recent gestures, such as William and Catherine wishing Harry a happy 40th birthday on social media, have sparked hopes for reconciliation. This message, along with King Charles extending birthday wishes, has been interpreted as a possible olive branch, signaling a desire for healing within the family.

Despite this, the relationship between the brothers remains deeply fractured. While William and Catherine’s birthday message was seen as a formal gesture, it did not reflect a major thaw in relations. Reports suggest that while King Charles may have personally reached out to Harry, no direct communication occurred between the brothers on Harry’s birthday. Many royal watchers express doubts about whether the relationship can be fully repaired, given the complexities of both personal and institutional issues within the royal family.

In the past, William and Harry were seen as a united front, with their marriages to Catherine and Meghan respectively marking a modernizing era for the monarchy. Together, they championed causes like mental health, projecting a more youthful and relatable image of the royal family. However, over time, this “Fab Four” dynamic has faded, with William and Harry now leading very separate lives.

The recent birthday message from the Prince and Princess of Wales has reignited discussions about the possibility of reconciliation. However, many believe that while gestures of goodwill may continue, the deeper divisions between the brothers will not be easily mended, especially as their lives and roles within the royal family continue to diverge.