William and Harry bond over EURO 2020, exchange texts after England's win
Out of all things, it was football that finally got the estranged brothers, princes William and Harry, to talk to each other. The two exchanged texts ahead of what would have been Princess Diana's 60th birth anniversary on July 1. According to Daily Mail, after having spent 18 months locked in a bitter cold war, following the Duke of Sussex's exit from the British monarchy last year, William and Harry reconnected over England beating Germany 2-0 in Euro 2020.
After Tuesday's victory, the royal siblings reportedly exchanged a few text messages. Although it is not known what exactly was said in these messages, the timing of the seeming thaw in their frosty relationship could not have been more perfect. Both of them have to interact in public when they jointly unveil their late mother Princess Diana's life-size statue in the Kensington Palace gardens on Thursday, July 1.
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Insiders, however, were quick to point out that the interaction between the brothers was far from a reconciliation between the two. But it is definitely a start towards more harmonious exchanges. The texting indicates that both William and Harry are prepared to brush aside their differences for the high profile event. "It is still far from good between them," the source explained. "But there has apparently been an exchange of messages, particularly about the football, which is a step in the right direction, if only to do honour to their mother."
William was 'deeply hurt' by Harry
The Duke of Cambridge is known to be deeply hurt and angry after Harry "pressed the nuclear button" on his relationship with the monarchy as well as the royal family. One source was skeptical about the two brothers ever regaining "even a semblance" of the brotherly bond they once enjoyed. "Too much water has gone under the bridge for that," they said. "Harry and Meghan's decision to burn so many bridges behind them and make such terrible allegations against their family in that infamous Oprah interview, knowing they will never be in a position to defend themselves, has taken its toll. What little trust there was has been well and truly destroyed."
However, some royal experts are still hopeful that the brothers could eventually put their differences aside, at least for their children, who are cousins, in order to develop some sort of long-distance relationship. "It would be a great shame if Archie and Lilibet never really got to know George, Charlotte and Louis," they admitted.
About Diana, not her sons
The sculpture of Princess Diana has been created in her honour by Ian Rank-Broadley and placed in the remodelled gardens of Kensington Palace. It is a personal project that Harry and William have been working on together since 2017. Omid Scobie, the Sussexes' preferred royal reporter, said that Harry and William both vehemently believe July 1 is about their mother and not them. He said: "What we will see is two brothers being professional in a moment that is not about them. This is going to be a moment we see them put everything to one side. We will just see professionalism and nothing else."
