Brotherly war on the 29th anniversary of death: Why William and Harry remain estranged

In parallel, journalist Catherine Mayer is presenting "Divide and Rule," an investigation into the "impossible" life of British queens and royals. The arc, according to her, spans from Anne Boleyn through Elizabeth I, Victoria, Elizabeth II, Diana, Camilla, Catherine to Meghan.

Two new books, two perspectives

This temporal bracket makes clear why the conflict between William and Harry continues to resonate to this day. Both sons experienced the loss of their mother as children, but later went down very different paths: one into the center of the monarchy, the other into distance.

Constitutional expert Craig Prescott has been following the debate for years with growing concern. He sees the books less as a historical summary than as further evidence that private rifts are increasingly hollowing out the institution.

A dispute that radiates into the royal house itself

London observers point out that with the appearance of both books, the pressure on the family to take a position is mounting. Tensions of this magnitude were last openly aired within the Windsor dynasty during the abdication debacle of Edward VIII.

The publications come at a time when the monarchy is already under heightened public scrutiny. Loyalists as well as critics expect the coming weeks to show whether the family seeks dialogue or continues to remain silent.

Diana