Nothing says “family reunion” quite like years of public criticism and a press corps waiting for someone to blink. Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle have remained estranged amid revealing interviews and public recriminations. Now, with the Sussexes and their children returning to the UK for an extended stay, family-drama sniffers have been working overtime, despite no fresh reports of trouble. The latest revelation suggests the Waleses are wisely attempting to give the tabloids absolutely nothing to feast upon.

One could have seen the awkwardness coming from miles away when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle began appearing again on royal premises after “Megxit,” making the Wales’ restraint particularly intriguing.

Prince William and Prince Harry’s relationship has hardly been a secret garden of sibling harmony, and the wider rift has ensnared their wives as well. In its latest cover story, PEOPLE has reported that Prince William and Kate Middleton are resisting any immediate response to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s extended UK return. The restraint is notable given the history between both couples.

“They are watching this space,” a source told PEOPLE, emphasizing that the Waleses do not feel compelled to say or demonstrate anything publicly. Any reconciliation, the source says, “will be a slow build,” with a “deep sense of betrayal” still lingering. In other words, the Waleses are avoiding any immediate and wild reactions while letting the situation unfold quietly.

That caution becomes more striking when placed against nearly four years of distance between the two couples. Prince William, Kate Middleton, and the Sussexes were last publicly seen together during the mourning period for Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, with no reunion since. PEOPLE has also reported that the brothers have had no contact for years, making the Sussexes’ return a particularly delicate development.

David Beckham Joins ‘The Gentlemen’ Campaign Amid Meghan Markle’s Casting Calls, Their Feud Explained

With Meghan Markle’s arrangements for the UK move now making headlines, Prince Harry’s own words about reconciliation offer a rather revealing piece of the larger picture.

Prince Harry has made little secret of wanting to reconcile with his family, even while acknowledging that the road back would hardly be a stroll. During an interview with the BBC last year, the Duke of Sussex said he would “love reconciliation with my family” and argued that there was little point continuing to fight when life was precious. His comments came with a clear awareness that reconciliation would require navigating serious obstacles.

Those obstacles have hardly disappeared, from the ongoing security dispute and unresolved grievances to the particularly frozen relationship between Prince Harry and Prince William. The Duke of Sussex has also spoken about wanting accountability for what he considers past wrongs, while his family relationships have remained complicated by years of public revelations. With the Sussexes now returning to the UK for an extended period, those old complications suddenly have a rather new backdrop.

The American Dream Fades? Inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Challenging US Chapter

What do you think of this new chapter in the royal family's life? Let us know in the comments!