Royal TV row sparks internet meltdown
By Sarah Tetteh
Good Morning Britain viewers had plenty to say during our, erm, passionate debate about Prince William finally ‘ending his feud’ with Prince Harry after six years of heartache last week.
Hosts of the ITV show Ed Balls and Charlotte Hawkins didn’t know where to look as we battled it out whether forgiveness was the way forward after a shock and chivalrous gesture from Prince William to his estranged younger brother, quite literally, broke the internet.
The conversation was sparked by recent reports that the Prince of Wales has made a reconciliatory move in his ongoing spat with Prince Harry, publicly acknowledging him for what is thought to be the first time in six years.
In his new ITV documentary, Prince William discusses his brother, which some interpret as an olive branch.
I was invited onto London’s Good Morning Britain as a showbiz and royal journalist to discuss the hope of a reconciliation – because despite all the hurt and pain ‘family must come first.’
I said: “I think it’s a huge gesture from Prince William. Because William doesn’t do things by halves. It’s a deliberate gesture and very subtle.”
I added: “He shares beautiful childhood memories with his brother. All families argue. Watch this space, Prince William and Harry will get back together. And the nation will rejoice.”
It was a view that was met with fierce opposition from royal pundit Richard Fitzwilliam.
He said: “We can hope but on the other hand before we hope we must actually see something from the Sussexes to show there’s reciprocation.”
He added: “When you say all families argue, don’t forget most dreadfully the memoirs Spare, which trashed William, and also the Netflix documentary and also Oprah.”
I argued: “That’s in the past now Richard. If the Oasis brothers can make up, think how much the nation will celebrate when Prince William and Prince Harry get back together.”
Londoners got involved too, and flocked to social media to comment. One said: “Diana took both of them to the charity. if he didn’t mention that they were both there, it’d be called a snub. “
Another said: “Harry needs William like air!!!”
A third chimed in: “Prince William was talking about the past, and of course his brother is a part of this past, but this brother is no longer part of the present neither the future. Families can break up due to irreconcilable disputes/differences. Why do certain people refuse to accept this and also refuse to respect Prince Williams choice to keep his brother as far away from as possible.”
In the latest royal developments, Prince William is set to open up about his rapport with Prince Harry in a forthcoming ITV documentary that spotlights the issue of homelessness. The film, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, will see William explore how his early experiences at homeless shelters with his mother, Diana, and his sibling impacted him.
The documentary goes back to a potent episode from December 1993, where Diana took young William and Harry to The Passage, in Victoria, which supports new members of the homeless community.
William recounts the memory, saying: “She took Harry and I both there. I must have been about 11, I think probably… Maybe 10. I’d never been to anything like that before.”
Royal watchers flocked to social media to comment on the debate. Many were fuming about everyone talking over each-other – but they certainly got the message.
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Ed Balls suggested perhaps baking a cake would be the ultimate peace offering.
Hmm. Might go down like a soggy bottom.
Pictured top: Sarah Tetteh, Richard Fitzwilliam with Ed Balls and Charlotte Hawkins on GMB Picture: GMB