The Duke of Sussex, 39, and his wife, Meghan Markle, 42, remain among the most talked about figures in the royal family, having stepped down from their senior roles.
Since leaving official duties, Prince Harry and Meghan have used their platform to support a range of public service causes, yet tensions with other royals continue.
Recently, the royal family faced criticism for allegedly “disrespecting” Prince Harry and Meghan’s son, Archie, on his fifth birthday. In addition, reports suggest that the Duke was “in tears” after being snubbed by his father.
The scrutiny isn’t limited to Prince Harry’s relationship with King Charles. His bond with his older brother, Prince William, 41, has also made headlines. The two reportedly began drifting apart following Harry and Meghan’s exit from royal life—a relationship that was already fragile after the tragic loss of their mother, Princess Diana, in a 1997 car accident when they were only 15 and 12 years old.
Andrew Morton, the late Princess Diana’s biographer, revealed in a 2019 issue of Royals Monthly (per Us Weekly): “Their relationship is incredibly intimate.” An insider added, “He wants to believe that there’s still hope for peace down the line, but it’s hard.”
The brothers appeared to keep their distance at their father’s coronation in May 2023, and now, reports suggest their relationship may have become even more strained.
Much of the discord seems to stem from their father, King Charles.
A spokesperson for the Duke told the BBC that he would not see his father as the King had a “full programme.” Additionally, it has been reported that Prince Harry turned down King Charles’ offer of a royal residence during his visit. This drama comes alongside a recent announcement by King Charles, with many questioning the timing.
Royal author and commentator Tom Quinn told the Mirror that the 75-year-old monarch may have made his declaration as a deliberate signal to his youngest son, emphasizing his permanent estrangement from the royal family. Quinn claims Prince Harry was “in tears when he heard,” adding:
“What makes it much worse is that the role is being given to the very man who Harry sees as the cause of so many of his problems – his brother. And the announcement was deliberately made during Harry’s brief visit to the UK to have maximum impact; it shows Harry that he really is no longer welcome.”
King Charles has appointed Prince William as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps—a role many believed was intended for Prince Harry.
Royal commentator Pandora Forsyth defended the decision in an interview with Sky News, stating that the Prince of Wales is the “right fit for the role.” Forsyth explained:
“Prince Harry knew this when he left as a senior member of the working family, that he would have to give up his honorary military titles. So, unfortunately, this is just now the reality for Harry. And it’s brutal and of course, it’s going to hit home because it’s very personal for him.”
In his tell-all memoir, Prince Harry even described Prince William as his “beloved brother and archnemesis” – a sentiment that seems particularly relevant today. This latest development only underscores the deepening rift within the family, especially considering Prince Harry’s cherished military service with the corps in Afghanistan
