Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly hope 2021 will be a 'time of healing' for the royal family
- A source close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex addressed their rift with the royal family, saying the couple hope 2021 will be a "time of healing."
- "Family disagreements tend to lose heat with distance and time," the source told People magazine.
- There were reports of a rift between the Sussexes and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's royal wedding in 2018.
- When asked about his relationship with Prince William in November 2019, Harry said they were "on different paths."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly hope 2021 will be a "team of healing" for the royal family after the couple's rumored rift with Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Speaking to People magazine to mark one year since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepped back from royal life, a source close to the couple said they're "hoping 2021 can be a time of healing not just for the world, but for their family."
"Family disagreements tend to lose heat with distance and time," the source added.
There were rumors of a rift between the Duke of Sussex and Duke of Cambridge after Harry and Markle's royal wedding in 2018. Harry confirmed they were "on different paths" when asked about their relationship during the ITV documentary "Harry and Meghan: An African Journey" in October 2019.
"Part of this role and part of this job, this family, being under the pressure that it's under, inevitably stuff happens," he said.
"But look, we're brothers, we'll always be brothers," he added. "We're certainly on different paths at the moment but I'll always be there for him and as I know he'll always be there for me."
Harry, Markle, Middleton, and William were last seen together at a Commonwealth Day service in March 2020, which marked the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's final royal engagement. Photos from the event show that while the two couples sat just a row apart at the service in London's Westminster Abbey, they did not appear to acknowledge each other or make eye contact.
It's been rumored that the brothers spoke over video call when Harry and Markle moved to California last year, however, this is yet to be confirmed by their representatives.
This week marks one year since the duke and duchess announced their step back from the royal family. A source close to the couple told People that "it was always their dream to be financially independent and pay their own way."
"Despite everything that has been going on this year, they don't regret their move to the US," another source told the publication. "They love that they are able to focus on projects and causes that are important to them."
Representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex declined to comment when contacted by Insider.
- Read more:
- One year after their royal exit, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are thriving - here are the photos to prove it
- Princess Diana's wedding-dress designer said she was 'horrified' when she saw the royal wearing it because of how creased it was
- A former royal staff member has been sentenced to 8 months in prison for stealing from Buckingham Palace
- 10 royal luxuries Meghan Markle and Prince Harry gave up when they resigned from royal life