The Princess of Wales has been dubbed a “regal peacemaker” after reports that she made a late-night phone call to brother-in-law Prince Harry in a bid to broker a peace deal between him and Prince William.
Reports citing a royal insider earlier this week suggested Kate had contacted the Duke of Sussex “to tell him to keep his chin up” and “not worry too much about these temporary setbacks”, in reference to the simmering tensions as a result of his controversial memoir, Spare, and the explosive Netflix series featuring himself and wife Meghan Markle.
Royal commentator Hilary Fordwich told Express.co.uk: “Given Harry, who in November 2010 back when her engagement to William was announced, referred to Kate as ‘the big sister I never had’, it is most likely that of all people Harry is open to a conversation with Kate.
“Her graceful gravitas is routed in part by her family values. She once said, ‘My parents taught me about the importance of qualities like kindness, respect and honesty and I realise how central values like these have been throughout my life.'”
Kate’s parents Mike and Carole Middleton, were generally described by those who know them as “natural, relaxed and family-orientated, and “able to get on with anybody”, said Ms Fordwich, a Washington-based business consultant who has frequently appeared on US television to discuss royal matters.
She added: “This is in stark contrast to those who constantly either fight with their own families, have fallings out and or write nasty things about them.
“Her level-headed approach, derived from growing up with and maintaining an exceptionally close family has been on display during many troubling times.
“She even told her close friends, prior to the Oprah interview, she did not think it was then too late to ‘pull them back in’.”
It was with “great aplomb” that Kate had managed to get the brothers talking after the service for the Duke of Edinburgh “seemingly entirely spontaneously”, Ms Fordwich pointed out.
She added: “Despite no one else doing so, from the family congregation of only 30, she engaged self-exiled Harry in polite conversation.
“She was a most regal peacemaker with her manoeuvering between her husband and brother-in-law, convening them in conversation.
“So picking up the phone at this time is highly likely.”
The source told Closer magazine: “Kate has been in touch with Harry to tell him to keep his chin up and not worry too much about these temporary setbacks.
“Harry’s relationship with Kate has remained intact and it means an awful lot to Harry that she continues to show support and especially during desperate times like this when the chips are down.
“She feels very sorry for him right now.
“Seeing him go through all these setbacks is very difficult to witness and it tugs at her heartstrings – especially as his court trial is taking place so close to their home.”
However, others have been sceptical, with US journalist Kinsey Schofield telling Fox News: “My contacts at Kensington Palace have told me that this story has no truth to it.
“The Princess of Wales is not making late-night calls to Prince Harry.
“Catherine is very respectful of Prince William’s feelings and wouldn’t go behind his back to execute anything.”
Harry visited the UK for King Charles’s coronation on May 6.
However, he flew back to California, where he lives with Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet, immediately after the service.
