After four years of estrangement from his brother, Prince William referred to Meghan as a “ᴄᴜгѕᴇԀ woman”: “She has harmed my wife.”

For nearly three years, the small circle of friends close to both Prince William and Prince Harry have been despairing over the searing animosity — the sheer uncompromising, bloody-minded anger — between the two Princes.

But, in April, the sad news of Prince Philip’s death seemed to offer a glimmer of hope.

The family gathering for their grandfather’s funeral would bring the warring brothers together in an atmosphere of reflection.

Might this be the chance for some healing to develop, wondered a few of their chums?

So, without being too obvious about it, that theme of healing became an element in their friendly chats with their royal mates in the days that followed.

Their friends’ gentle nudges seemed to have had some effect that solemn Saturday afternoon as the two princes walked out of St George’s Chapel to cross the courtyard side by side — subtly brought together by Kate, who then left the pair to the brotherly exchange of words seen on camera.

For nearly three years, the small circle of friends close to both Prince William and Prince Harry have been despairing over the searing animosity — the sheer uncompromising, bloody-minded anger — between the two Princes, writes ROBERT LACEY. Pictured: Prince William walks next to Prince Harry and Meghan in 2018

Some inching towards reconciliation seemed in progress, their watching friends dared to dream — as did the whole world.

But those hopes were dashed within minutes of the siblings getting inside the castle and beyond camera vision. They started quarrelling again.

There they were, at each other’s throats as fiercely as ever,’ relates one long-time friend with a tired and helpless shrug.

‘The rage and anger between those two has grown so incredibly deep. Too many harsh and wounding things have been said.’

So, sadly no. There was no reconciliation, and no brotherly sit-down or ‘mini summit’ following Prince Philip’s funeral on April 17 — as was incorrectly reported by one newspaper.