Former Palace photographer Ian Pelham Turner has told The Mirror that Prince William is increasingly open to Prince Harry resuming royal duties, signaling a potential shift in the rift between the siblings. This development appears linked to recent changes within the monarchy, notably the removal of former Prince Andrew from his prominent role due to his ties with the late Jeffrey Epstein.
Pelham Turner, who has long-standing connections to palace circles and captured significant royal events, including the birth of Prince William with Charles and Diana in 1982, revealed to the media that King Charles’ cancer diagnosis has hastened discussions about Harry’s potential return. Charles was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer in 2024, with ongoing treatment. This diagnosis seems to have triggered urgent discussions about the royal family’s future structure.
“My feeling at the moment is because of Charles’ cancer diagnosis that all these negotiations perhaps, for example, with Harry have been accelerated,” stated Pelham Turner. The royal photographer indicated that Charles and William recently engaged in talks to negotiate terms, potentially fast-tracking what insiders have dubbed the “Bring Harry Back” campaign.
The timing of these discussions aligns with major changes to the status of the former Prince Andrew within the royal household. Andrew was officially stripped of his royal titles in early November and is set to move to Sandringham Estate, over 62 miles from the core of the royal family. This relocation effectively distances Andrew from central royal operations, with some viewing it as an exile to Norfolk.
Pelham Turner suggests William’s openness to Harry’s potential return represents a calculated trade-off. With Andrew’s exit from his prominent role, William has become more amenable to discussing his brother’s position within the family. “So I think why all of this has happened now is that William has been placated about Harry coming back into the fold by getting rid of Andrew,” the photographer explained. He noted that two simultaneous accelerations are happening: reintegrating Harry and removing Andrew from his current role.
The relationship between William and Harry has been tense since the Sussexes left their roles as senior working royals in 2020. Harry has resided in the United States with Meghan Markle and their children for five years. Despite the distance and tension, sources indicate that Harry has recently expressed a desire to return home and has shown happiness during recent visits to the United Kingdom.
Pelham Turner suggested that Harry and Meghan could potentially become royal ambassadors in the United States, representing the Crown while maintaining their American residence. This arrangement could allow them to perform certain royal duties without requiring a full return to traditional royal responsibilities. Such a role would utilize their established presence in America while providing the monarchy with representation in a strategically important area.
King Charles reportedly wants his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren back in his life, driven by what Pelham Turner describes as sentimental, family-focused motivations. The monarch’s wish to maintain relationships with his grandchildren, who are growing up in America, appears to be a crucial factor in these discussions.
The royal photographer also mentioned that Queen Camilla has played a significant role in Charles’ approach to family matters. According to sources, Camilla has urged Charles to pursue certain initiatives proposed by William, suggesting she aims to maintain stability within the monarchy during this period of transition and health challenges.
Pelham Turner also noted changes in William’s demeanor, highlighting that staff members have reported the prince can be assertive at times and now insists on being addressed as “Sir” instead of by his first name. This marks a shift from earlier years when William and Harry were more informal with staff and colleagues. Some sources indicate that Queen Camilla has expressed concerns about William’s behavior and approach to his evolving role.
The former photographer reflected on the original departure of Harry and Meghan, suggesting that Queen Elizabeth was poorly advised when she denied their request to serve as part-time working royals. The late queen’s decision forced them to choose between fulfilling full royal duties or a complete departure, ultimately leading to their relocation to the United States. Five years later, the royal family may be reconsidering that approach as circumstances have changed significantly.
Whether William’s reported openness to Harry’s return will result in concrete action remains uncertain. The relationship between the brothers remains complicated, with sources indicating that William remains upset about the manner of Harry’s departure and the subsequent controversial public statements. However, the combination of Charles’ health situation, Andrew’s removal from prominence, and the passage of time may be creating conditions for a gradual reconciliation.
