Prince William seemingly conveyed a secretive message to his brother, Prince Harry, in anticipation of Harry's visit to the UK. While Harry has expressed concerns about his family's safety in the UK, William appears to be leading a relatively normal life. According to Richard Eden's column in the Daily Mail, the future king recently enjoyed a pub outing in North Norfolk with his mother-in-law, Carole Middleton. As per their annual tradition, the Cambridges had traveled to Norfolk with their three children for the April half-term break, and this year seemed no different. Despite Princess Kate's brave revelation about undergoing cancer treatment, there was no sign of her during the visit.
William had a quiet drink with Carole, who was reportedly staying with the family during the Easter break. Mr. Eden's article juxtaposed news of William's seemingly ordinary pub visit with Harry's earlier comment expressing fear for his family's safety in the UK. Mr. Eden wrote: "Prince Harry said that he and Meghan fled Britain in 2020 fearing for our lives, yet his brother Prince William seems able to enjoy a pretty normal life. Indeed, I'm told he popped into a pub in North Norfolk at the weekend with his mother-in-law, who is said to have been staying with the Prince and Princess of Wales for Easter. A patron tells me it was all very low-key, with no great fanfare. He just walked in and through the pub, appearing to be with Carole Middleton."
Harry has openly voiced concerns about the safety of his wife and children, highlighting a paradox where the heir to the throne engages in typical activities while Harry fears for the same in the UK. Earlier this year, Harry's legal challenge against the government's decision regarding his security protection in the UK was unsuccessful. He contested the Home Office's decision from February 2020, which reduced his security level upon his return to the UK after stepping down as a working royal.
Despite the ongoing health crisis, it is said that Prince William is not letting any issues loom over Prince Harry's return to the royal fold. Paul Burrell, former butler to Princess Diana, stated that Prince Charles has drawn a line in the sand regarding his estranged brother's royal return. Harry is expected to contribute to royal duties as King Charles and the Princess of Wales take a step back from public engagements to focus on their respective battles with cancer. Burrell remarked, "There's no place for Harry in the royal fold. He's made his bed, and now he has to lie in it. Too much has been said. The drawbridge is up, and there's no way back for Harry.
It sends the wrong message, and William doesn't want any confusion going forward. William has drawn a line in the sand and has had enough. So, Harry will forever be the outcast prince of his own making. In his own mind, in his own world, I think he thought it was a possibility that now the family's in crisis, he could step in, put on a uniform, and do a few jobs for William and Charles. But it's not possible in the royal family's eyes or the public's eyes. There's no way back. Harry thought that he could have one foot in the camp and one foot out, but the late Queen made it quite clear to him that that wasn't fair and that it wouldn't work and would never be the case. His job as a member of the royal family is over."
