Prince Harry and Prince William’s relationship as brothers has been strained and permanently changed because of the drama surrounding Meghan Markle and Harry’s exit from their senior royal family roles, People reports.
A source told the outlet that Harry and William’s relationship is “forever changed. They won’t get back to the way they were. Harry is looking straight ahead at his future with his family. He’s not looking back.”
Tensions between the brothers first started years ago, in 2016 and 2017. People previously reported that Harry telling William that he intended to marry Meghan after less than a year of dating her damaged their bond. William, an insider said, “cautioned Harry that things were moving too quickly, leaving Harry angry and hurt.” (Meghan and Harry began dating in July 2016 and announced their engagement in November 2017)
But at this point, William and Harry are trying to minimize any additional damage. Back when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex first announced their intentions to step back from their working royal family roles in January, ELLE was told that while the situation is “complex,” the royal family wanted to find a compromise and give Harry the support he needs. The mood is “let’s just get something fixed. Let’s get a structure and a plan and move on. The drama and division is doing the most damage,” a source close to Prince William said.
Harry has addressed his relationship with William during his ITV interview in October, confirming that there have been rough patches. “Part of this role and part of this job and this family, being under the pressure that it’s under, stuff happens but we’re brothers,” Harry started. “We’ll always be brothers, and we’re certainly on different paths at the moment, but I’ll always be there for him, and he’ll always be there for me. We don’t see each other as much as we used to because we’re so busy, but I love him dearly, and the majority of the stuff is created out of nothing, but you know, as brothers you have good days, you have bad days.”