Omid Scobie says Harry has made clear that reconciliation remains something he wants — although he doubts the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death will bring the estranged brothers back together.
Prince Harry may still hope for a reconciliation with Prince William, but next year’s deeply significant anniversary connected to their mother is unlikely to repair their fractured relationship, according to royal author Omid Scobie.
The 30th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death will fall in August 2027, three decades after she was killed in a car crash in Paris.
With the milestone approaching, there has been renewed speculation over whether remembering their mother could create an opportunity for William and Harry to reconnect.
Scobie, however, expressed doubt that the anniversary itself would change their relationship.
Speaking in the ABC News Studios documentary Harry & Meghan: The Return Of The Prince, he said Harry has not hidden his desire to eventually reconcile with members of his family, including both his father and his brother.
But when it comes to Diana’s anniversary becoming the catalyst for that reconciliation, Scobie said he could not see it making a difference — while adding that people could still hope.
William Is Reportedly Staying Away From A Diana Anniversary Documentary
The comments come amid reports that both brothers are considering how Diana’s legacy should be marked as the anniversary approaches.
William has reportedly received multiple offers to participate in television programming connected to the milestone.
However, he is understood to have decided against appearing in a documentary.
The Prince of Wales recently held private discussions at Kensington Palace with BBC Director-General Matt Brittin, but reports suggest William does not want to take part in a television production that could potentially create further tensions with Harry.
Harry, meanwhile, is reportedly exploring his own possible tribute to Diana.
He is understood to have approached some of his mother’s friends and relatives about potentially participating in a commemorative film.
No project has been formally confirmed, and Harry is said to still be considering different ways of honoring Diana and her legacy.
Scobie Sees A Different Situation With King Charles
Scobie also offered his assessment of Harry’s relationships with his father and brother.
He suggested that relations between Harry and King Charles have become warmer, describing what he sees as a thawing of the previous tension between them.
His assessment of Harry and William’s relationship was considerably less optimistic.
Scobie said he does not expect the situation between the brothers to change.
He also addressed long-running suggestions that Catherine, Princess of Wales, could eventually act as a peacemaker.
According to Scobie, however, Catherine has relatively little involvement in the relationship between William and Harry, despite repeated public speculation that she might help bring them together.
Those comments represent Scobie’s assessment of the family dynamics rather than a confirmed position from William, Catherine or Buckingham Palace.
Harry Has Previously Spoken Publicly About Reconciliation
Harry himself has previously expressed a desire to repair his family relationships.
During an interview with the BBC in May, the Duke of Sussex said he would like reconciliation with his family and argued that continuing the conflict served little purpose.
Despite those comments, Harry and William remain estranged.
The brothers have reportedly not spoken since around the time of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022.
Their relationship has attracted intense attention for years, particularly following Harry and Meghan’s departure from their roles as working royals in 2020 and the Sussexes’ subsequent interviews, documentary projects and Harry’s memoir.
The approaching Diana anniversary has now placed renewed attention on the brothers’ relationship.
Diana’s Legacy Remains Closely Connected To Both Brothers
Diana died in Paris in August 1997 when William and Harry were still young.
Both princes have spoken publicly over the years about their mother and her influence on their lives.
They previously came together for the 20th anniversary of her death in 2017, appearing in the ITV documentary Diana, Our Mother: Her Life And Legacy.
In 2021, William and Harry also appeared together at Kensington Palace for the unveiling of a statue honoring Diana.
The situation surrounding the 30th anniversary, however, appears very different.
Harry is reportedly considering a television-based tribute, while William is understood to have chosen not to participate in anniversary programming.
Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, is also among those Harry is said to have approached about a potential project.
The earl recently published his memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, which contains a series of allegations concerning events surrounding Diana and the Royal Family.
Buckingham Palace has disputed aspects of his account.
The Sussexes’ Return To Britain Has Created A New Chapter
The discussion about William and Harry comes shortly after Harry and Meghan returned to Britain following six years in the United States.
Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are now attending school in the UK.
The family has already faced several adjustments since returning.
Archie and Lilibet reportedly changed schools after only a short period at their first institution, with concerns raised about traffic, the length of the school journey and the pressure those conditions placed on the Sussexes’ security arrangements.
Harry has since said that both children are happy at school and that he is pleased to be back in Britain.
Meanwhile, the Duke has undertaken a series of public engagements in London and Birmingham and also travelled to New York for events.
Meghan has not accompanied him to those recent appearances.
All Eyes Are Now On The Diana Anniversary
As August 2027 approaches, interest in how William and Harry will commemorate their mother is likely to remain intense.
Harry’s reported television plans have yet to be finalized, while William is understood to have chosen a more private path rather than participating in an anniversary documentary.
Whether Diana’s memory could ultimately create an opening between the brothers remains unknown.
Scobie believes Harry still wants reconciliation.
But he does not believe the anniversary itself will necessarily provide the breakthrough some royal observers are hoping for.
For now, the two brothers appear set to honor the same woman who shaped both of their lives — but potentially in very different ways.
