Prince Harry traveled over 5,000 miles to visit his father, King Charles III, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

However, during his brief 24-hour visit, Harry did not meet with his estranged brother, William.

Photos of Harry at Heathrow Airport were published by British media on Wednesday afternoon, indicating his return to California after his visit to the UK.

While he spent less than an hour with his father at Clarence House, the king’s London residence, any meeting between the brothers was not confirmed by palace officials.

In the meantime, William resumed his public duties for the first time since his wife, Kate, underwent abdominal surgery and spent nearly two weeks in a London hospital.

He attended a ceremony at Windsor Castle, where he presented medals to notable individuals and local heroes.

Later that evening, he was scheduled to attend a charity dinner for London’s air ambulance service.

These images further perpetuate the popular narratives surrounding the royal brothers: dutiful William and adventurous Harry.

However, behind these simplified descriptions lie two individuals whose paths have diverged significantly.

While William was born to be the future king, Harry, as the spare heir, has grappled with a more ambiguous role.

In his 2023 memoir titled “Spare,” Harry explored a lifetime of grievances with his brother, ranging from unequal treatment to intense arguments.

Harry and his wife, Meghan, also known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have accused the British media of treating them unfairly compared to William and Kate.

They cited racism towards Meghan, who is biracial, and a lack of support from the palace as reasons for their decision to step back from royal duties and move to the United States.

During their interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, the couple portrayed the royal family as indifferent to Meghan’s mental health struggles and alleged that a family member had made a racist comment towards Harry.

Since then, the brothers’ interactions have been formal and brief, with a temporary display of unity at Prince Philip’s funeral.

Harry’s campaign against the British tabloid press has further strained his relationship with the royal family.

He has filed lawsuits against media outlets for privacy violations, breaking the royal tradition of not engaging in litigation.

In court documents, Harry claimed that Charles had instructed palace staff to pressure him into dropping his lawsuits.

He also alleged that William secretly settled his own hacking claims against Rupert Murdoch’s publications for a significant sum of money in 2020.

Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith believes that the wounds within the royal family cannot be healed in a single visit.

While King Charles has a desire to repair familial relationships, the deep hurts caused by Harry will require more than just a reconciliation attempt.

In conclusion, Prince Harry’s recent visit to see King Charles III did not result in a reconciliation with his brother, William.

The complexities of their relationship, compounded by past grievances and public scrutiny, continue to keep them emotionally and physically apart.

It remains to be seen whether future attempts at reconciliation will be successful.