Reports suggest Prince William was unhappy with King Charles for agreeing to meet Prince Harry on September 10.

Some even believe the Prince of Wales may have felt a touch of jealousy over his brother’s “successful” UK visit, where Harry was warmly welcomed by the public. While William’s relationship with his own family remains strained, Kate Middleton’s strong family ties appear to be both a comfort and a source of bittersweet feelings for him.

Leaning on the Middletons

William’s longstanding feud with Harry, coupled with the loss of Princess Diana at a young age, has left him seeking stability with Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton. Columnist Rob Shuter revealed in his Substack that a source said, “Kate leans on her family for everything.

They’re the ones she trusts, the ones she wants around her kids. William’s side is basically frozen out.” Another insider added, “Kate’s family is solid, dependable, fun. For William, it’s bittersweet. He loves them, but it highlights just how fractured his own family has become.”

A Family Contrast

It’s little surprise, then, that weekends and holidays are often spent with the Middletons rather than the Windsors. William’s envy of their close family bond stems from a longing for the same warmth in his own.

As Shuter noted, “Instead of spending low-key weekends with Windsor relatives, the Prince and Princess of Wales chose to party with Pippa and James Matthews, who threw a lavish 50th, complete with vintage planes and champagne towers. Meanwhile, Carole is spotted regularly on school runs and errands with her grandchildren.”

A Father Figure in Michael Middleton

William is said to be especially close to Michael Middleton, whom he reportedly sees as a father figure. Royal expert Katie Nicholl explained on Dynasty: The Royal Family’s Most Challenging Year podcast that William often turns to Michael for guidance.

“He [Michael] has a great sense of humor, and I think he’s someone who is a cool head in a crisis… They were a very tight unit, and they’re still the same today,” she said. Proof of their bond was evident when William asked Michael’s permission to marry Kate before seeking approval from Queen Elizabeth, underscoring how much he values his father-in-law.

Strained Relations with Harry

Meanwhile, William’s rift with Harry shows no sign of healing. He remains hurt and angry over his brother exposing the Firm’s private struggles. An insider told the Daily Mail, “William is back at the point where if you mention Prince Harry in his presence, he would throw you out of the room. He’s doubling down.” It is also believed William scheduled a heavy workload during Harry’s UK trip to avoid any chance of meeting him.