Is the icy rift between the brothers finally showing signs of melting? Prince William has, for the first time in six years, directly mentioned his estranged brother, Prince Harry, by name. Insiders speculate that this deliberate action could mark the beginning of a path toward reconciliation for the royal family. Princess Diana’s confidant, Richard Kay, suggests that the Prince of Wales’ recent acknowledgment of his younger brother might indicate that the royal family is beginning to heed the Duke of Sussex’s sentiments.

In the new documentary “Prince William: We Can End Homelessness,” which aired in the UK this week, William referenced Harry, 40, while reminiscing about how Princess Diana took them to a homeless shelter. Richard Kay, a friend of Princess Diana and a writer, told Daily Mail’s Palace Confidential that William’s mention of Harry is a hopeful sign. “One could easily interpret it as a necessity given their shared history,” Kay explained. “However, I believe there is a deliberate intention behind it, possibly an olive branch.”

Kay further mentioned an earlier story that, although unverified, hinted at another gesture from William toward Harry. The royals strongly refuted that story, but this recent mention, Kay believes, carries more weight. “While we cannot predict the future, we do know from Harry’s public statements that he is eager to rebuild bridges with his family. Perhaps this is a sign that the family is indeed listening.”

In a preview clip from the documentary, Prince William recounted, “My mother took me to The Passage; she took Harry and me there. I must have been around 11, maybe 10. It was my first time in such a setting, and I was a bit nervous about what to expect.” A photo from the visit shows the two boys casually dressed, smiling for the camera, with Harry sitting on their mother’s lap. William remembered how Princess Diana made everyone feel at ease, laughing and joking as usual.

“I recall thinking that those without homes must be very sad, but the environment was incredibly joyful,” he added. The relationship between William and Harry has been strained since the Duke of Sussex’s marriage to Meghan Markle. William’s mention of Harry in the documentary is believed to be his first public acknowledgment of his brother in years. The brothers grew further apart after Harry and Meghan moved to Montecito, California, in 2020.

In 2021, Harry and Meghan had a candid interview with Oprah Winfrey, where they made allegations of racism within the royal family. They further criticized the institution in the Netflix series “Harry & Meghan” in 2022. Last year, Harry’s memoir “Spare” included accusations, including one where he claimed William physically attacked him during an argument over Meghan at his London home in 2019. Most recently, the brothers seemed to avoid each other at the memorial service for their mother’s brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes, in August.

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