Prince William sets terms for Harry call, Meghan told to stay silent
Terms reportedly set by the Prince of Wales could open the way to a first conversation with his younger brother, Prince Harry, in November 2026. According to reports, William wants a talk limited to the two brothers, by phone or video call, and a promise from Meghan Markle that she will not mention Kate Middleton or the couple’s three children.
The call would leave out both wives and the children of both households. The central demand, as described by the sources, is that the Duchess of Sussex does not name Kate, George, Charlotte or Louis in interviews, at public events or in conversations with journalists.
Terms reportedly set before any contact between the brothers
- The first conversation would take place only by phone or video call, between the two brothers.
- Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle would not take part in the first online contact.
- Only adults would join, with George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet Diana left out of the call.
- Meghan Markle would formally commit not to publicly name Kate, George, Charlotte or Louis.
- Meghan Markle would be barred from speaking to the press, and no information about William’s wife and children would be passed on behind the scenes.
Why William wants his wife and children shielded
Protecting Kate and the three children from further public strain is reported as the main obstacle to any reconciliation. William and Kate have three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, while Harry and Meghan have two, Archie and Lilibet Diana.
Keep reading: Prince William rejects Diana 30th anniversary film with Prince Harry
The rift deepened after Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as senior members of the British royal family in early 2020. Later interviews and publications that exposed behind-the-scenes life in the royal household added to the friction between the two households.
Learn more: Prince William and Kate Middleton assume Royal Warrant powers in 2026 as King Charles III adjusts duties
Who is involved and where the proposal stands
- Negotiators named in the reports: Prince William and Prince Harry.
- Suggested format: a phone or video call between the brothers alone.
- Status on 12 November 2026: no official confirmation from Kensington Palace or from representatives of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Key dates in the rift between the brothers
- 2019: The brothers’ relationship enters a rough patch after disagreements over how quickly Harry and Meghan married.
- 2020: Harry and Meghan leave their senior roles in the royal family in early 2020.
- 2021: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex give an interview to Oprah Winfrey.
- 2023: Harry’s memoir Spare deepens the break between the brothers.
- 2026: Reports surface of the conditions William has reportedly set for a phone or video call with Harry.
Neither Kensington Palace nor the representatives of Harry and Meghan had confirmed the conditions or any scheduled call as of 12 November 2026. A report in early October 2026, citing unnamed sources, said calls from Harry were not being put through to King Charles or William, and neither palace commented. On 4 November 2026, former royal correspondent Dickie Arbiter said on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show that he does not expect the Sussexes to stay in the UK beyond 31 August of next year.
