Making nice for the camera? Prince Harry shoots documentary with the royal family
London, UK - There has long been a rift between Prince William (38) and his brother Prince Harry (36) and wife Meghan Markle (39). Now William and Harry are both featured in an emotional new documentary. Did the grief over the death of Prince Philip actually lead to reconciliation – or is it all just a show for the cameras?
Prince Philip's death in April shook more than just the royal family.
The whole world watched as the dysfunctional dukes and the Queen pulled together for the funeral and mourning – and chose to keep their distance from each other and not walk side by side at the memorial service.
Now they've come together again, if just on screen.
The brothers have filmed a new BBC documentary, Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers, due out on September 22, which will commemorate Prince Philip and his legacy.
The documentary originally began filming intended as a 100th birthday celebration of the nation's longest-serving consort, but he died two months short of his milestone birthday.
"He's always been a huge presence behind everything we've done really," said Prince William in the film's trailer.
"What you see is what you got with my grandfather, he was unapologetically him," added Prince Harry.
The family described that they could never fully prepare for his death, even when it was looming and Prince Philip spent the last months of his life in the hospital.
"We were lucky to have him for nearly 100 years," Prince Charles said of his father.
Prince Philip's grandchildren speak out, but not together
While the format is to feature all of the Queen's children and grandchildren with their spouses, it is unclear whether Meghan Markle will be seen on the TV special.
Harry is said to have taped the emotional segment in an interview directly after the funeral in April, before he flew back to the US to rejoin his then pregnant wife. So it stands to reason that the family may not have even overlapped during the filming, and still be amidst a feud.
The brothers are not thought to have completely reconciled since their meeting in April. Since then, Harry returned to Britain in July to take part in the unveiling of a statue of his late mother, Princess Diana, where the brothers did appear together.
Yet, with Megan and Harry allegedly deciding to hold a private christening without the royal family, and the announcement of his upcoming memoir, there is likely still some friction among the siblings. He was last seen with his wife in a shocking interview with Oprah Winfrey that accused the palace of racism, which the family has denied.
Many are hoping the new BBC documentary will provide more clarity as to why the British royal family is so divided, and their current status.
The BBC is said to have obtained rare private insight into life at Buckingham Palace. Staff members, the personal office and library, and the private film collection of Prince Philip could be shown, which are normally not accessible to the public.
Cover photo: IMAGO / i Images