A Royal Expert Makes Bold Claim About William And Harry's Relationship

Since Oprah Winfrey's interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry aired on CBS on March 7 the world's eyes have been on the royal family. During their conversation with the legendary presenter, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex didn't shy away from talking about their family – and a royal expert has made a bold claim about William and Harry's relationship.

During his conversation with Oprah, Prince Harry said, "My father and my brother, they are trapped. They don't get to leave. And I have huge compassion for that." While the royal couple didn't name names in the CBS special, they did outline that they felt that they weren't supported by their family and that was one of the contributing reasons as to why they left.

However, speaking about his relationship with Prince William, Prince Harry said, "I love William to bits. He's my brother. We've been through hell together. But we are on different paths. The relationship is space. Time heals all things, hopefully." The interview suggested that the royals felt they'd have breathing space before being reunited. However, one royal commentator has suggested that it's too soon for this, and the royal household is still processing the interview after its initial statement.

Following the revelations that came out during Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's interview, all eyes have been on the royal family for a response. Vanity Fair's royal editor Katie Nicholl told Entertainment Tonight. "There are times certainly when William has struggled with his birthright, but to suggest that he's trapped in the institution, I don't think it's true and I don't think it's probably Harry's place to say in any case."

While Prince Harry suggested that his relationship with his brother would heal over time, Nicholl said, "I think there are so many raw emotions here, that it's far too early to talk about any kind of family reunion."

Prince William has been the first royal to speak personally after the interview. During a school visit in London, when asked if he'd spoken to his brother he said, "No, I haven't spoken to him yet but I will do" (via Twitter). In the fallout of the interview, a source told Us Weekly, "It's just beyond the pale for William and Kate, especially in light of the dreadful timing with [Prince] Philip in the hospital. They are utterly aghast." However, another said that they wouldn't bad mouth their brother- and sister-in-law to the press.

In her interview with Entertainment Tonight, Nicholl also suggested that Kate Middleton has been a "peacemaker" between the brothers in the past. "The Duchess of Cambridge is being dragged into this whole saga and William will hate that, and of course, the relationship between father and son is of course at an all-time low. I think that the idea that Kate's being dragged into this will be upsetting for Kate, who behind the scenes has tried really hard to be a peacemaker between William and Harry," said Nicholl, "She has been deeply saddened by the brothers' falling out. Don't forget she was incredibly close to Harry herself."

The Times reported that Prince Harry and Prince William's relationship has been strained for some time. In Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand's book Finding Freedom, it's suggested there were problems before the wedding, per The New York Times. However, another source told Entertainment Tonight, "They are brothers and will support each other and are committed to coming together to honor their late mother's legacy.

Just 36 hours after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's interview with Oprah aired, Buckingham Palace released an official statement on behalf of the queen (via Twitter). "The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning," it read. "While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always be much-loved family members."

Former spin doctor Alastair Campbell advised the Queen in the aftermath of the death of Princess Diana. Speaking about the statement following the interview to the Guardian, he said, "The situations are very different. I think this is a pretty extraordinary and a pretty explosive media frenzy, but that ultimately is what it is. So I'm not sure I would advise them to do anything much beyond what they are doing — which is not very much."