PRINCES Harry and William issued a joint statement to avoid “disastrous rival speeches” at the unveiling of Princess Diana’s statue, a royal expert has said.
The feuding royal brothers were reunited at the ceremony in Kensington Palace on what would have been their mother’s 60th birthday.
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In the moving tribute, the Duke of Cambridge, 39, and Duke of Sussex, 36, shared that they wish their mother, who died in 1997, was with them “every day.”
According to Robert Lacey author of Battle of Brothers: William, Harry and the Inside Story of a Family in Tumult, the joint statement was a wise move.
“It was a very well-judged decision not to have speeches,” he told People.
“The idea of rival speeches could have been disastrous, but to bring out a considered joint statement was perfect and shows a way ahead.
“They demonstrated a constructive way of dealing with differences.”
He said were not sweeping their differences under the carpet “but acknowledging more important things and doing that in a way that warmed everyone’s heart”.
Harry and William’s statement said: “Today, on what would have been our Mother’s 60th birthday, we remember her love, strength and character – qualities that made her a force for good around the world, changing countless lives for the better.
“Every day we wish she were still with us and our hope is that this statue will be seen forever as a symbol of her life and legacy.”
Harry shared a glass of champagne with Prince William but left just 20 minutes later after unveiling a statue honouring their mum.
Prince Harry is now back in the United States after flying back to be reunited with wife Meghan Markle, son Archie and daughter Lilibet.
It comes after some pals said they fear that the divide between the two brothers may never heal as William finds it impossible to trust Harry after his interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Meanwhile it was claimed Prince William avoided talking about his rift with his brother week as all discussions have to go through Meghan Markle.
The royal expert Richard Eden told the Daily Mail though the pair seemed close at the ceremony on July 1, it is unlikely that they spoke about the ongoing tensions between them.
“Whatever discussions they’ve had between Harry and William whether it’s about the football or whatever while Harry’s here, they won’t have been very serious,” he said.
“I mean William knows [that] without Meghan being there, there’s no point in discussing serious, because it will have to go through her anyway.”
