Despite his estrangement from the royal family, Prince Harry is seemingly finding a way to make light of the sometimes difficult relationship between siblings.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, attended the 20th WellChild Awards in London on Monday, September 8. While at the event, Harry met with honoree Declan Bitmead, who earned the Inspirational Young Person award for children between the ages of 15 and 18, per Hello.
According to the outlet, Harry asked Declan about his family, to which the teen shared that he had a younger brother. Harry jokingly asked Declan if his sibling “drove” him “mad.” Declan then replied that they get along well.
“You know what, siblings,” Harry replied.
Declan also told the royal that he and his brother attend the same school.
“That sometimes makes it more challenging,” Harry shared.
In addition to learning about his family, Harry also learned about Declan’s impaired vision. As a result, Harry decided to describe himself in that moment to help Declan better see the Duke of Sussex.
“I’m bald, I’m ginger and worst of all I’ve got a ginger beard,” he joked. “You’re thinking ‘Phew.’”
Prince Harry, Prince William Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Harry’s comment about sibling relationships comes amid his ongoing rift with brother Prince William and father King Charles III. Harry has been at odds with the pair since he and wife Meghan Markle stepped away from their royal family duties in 2020 and relocated from the U.K. to the United States. The pair currently reside in Montecito, California with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Harry last saw his father in person in February 2024, the same month the monarch went public with his cancer diagnosis.
“I love my family,” Harry said on Good Morning America that month. “The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that. I jumped on a plane and went to go see him as soon as I could.”
Prince William and Prince Harry grew up side by side, playing on the manicured grounds of Kensington Palace as children and later attending the prestigious Eton College before they both went off to serve in the armed forces. In 2020, their paths famously and dramatically diverged when Harry left his royal post for the luxe […]
Earlier this year, Harry publicly shared his desire to make amends with his family, especially with his father’s health condition.
“I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore,” Harry told the BBC in May. “Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has. He won’t speak to me because of this security stuff, but it would be nice to reconcile.”
There is potential for Harry to meet with Charles and William during his trip across the pond. Family was also seemingly on Harry’s mind as he visited the grave of his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Us Weekly understands that Harry laid a wreath and flowers on the monarch’s grave to pay his respects on the third anniversary of her death. (Elizabeth died in September 2022 at age 96.)
