Heartbreaking moment the world realised Harry and William were no longer close

The strained relationship between Prince William and Prince Harry has been a subject of public attention for years, and many wonder when the world first became aware of the rift between the once-close brothers. Although their relationship has grown increasingly distant, a key moment that signaled the start of their troubles came before the well-known 2020 decision by Harry and Meghan Markle to step back from royal duties.

In 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made the monumental decision to leave their roles as senior royals and move to California. This decision, often cited as the turning point in the brothers’ relationship, led to increasing tension between them. In the years following, certain actions by Prince Harry exacerbated the situation, including the release of his controversial autobiography, *Spare*, and the couple’s Netflix documentary, which presented their side of the royal family struggles.

However, the first public indication of a strain in their relationship came even earlier. In October 2019, during an ITV documentary titled *Harry & Meghan: An African Journey*, Harry openly acknowledged the distance between himself and his brother. He remarked, “Look, we’re brothers, we’ll always be brothers. And we’re certainly on different paths at the moment, but I’ll always be there for him, as I know he’ll always be there for me.” This was a candid admission of the growing divide, though Harry downplayed it, suggesting that their busy schedules were partly to blame for the reduced time they spent together. He emphasized that, despite the rift, he still loved his brother and dismissed much of the media speculation about their relationship as exaggerated.

In more recent years, the brothers’ estrangement has become increasingly evident. At a family memorial service for a maternal relative in Norfolk, the once-beloved siblings notably avoided each other throughout the entire event. This icy encounter reinforced the perception that their relationship had deteriorated beyond repair. Harry’s ongoing disputes with the royal family, particularly with his brother and father, King Charles, have only deepened the divide.

Despite the tension, there have been rare moments of public acknowledgment. On Harry’s 40th birthday, Kensington Palace’s official social media account posted a message to him, wishing him a happy birthday. This gesture was somewhat surprising given the ongoing feud. Typically, only working royals receive public birthday messages from official royal family accounts. The last time Harry received birthday wishes on the Royal Family’s official channels was in 2021, during the late Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. However, the gesture did little to mend the brothers’ fractured relationship.

Harry’s efforts to reconcile with his family, particularly with his father, have also been met with obstacles. Sources close to the Sussexes suggest that Harry’s calls to King Charles have gone unanswered, adding to the tension between father and son. A significant point of contention revolves around Harry’s security arrangements in the UK. Since stepping down as a working royal, he automatically lost the right to police protection, a matter that has caused an ongoing legal dispute. The lack of resolution has only intensified Harry’s feelings of estrangement from the royal family.

Reports indicate that Harry is fully aware of his brother William’s stance on his potential return to the royal fold. According to sources, William has expressed that there is “zero chance” of welcoming Harry back into the family after the publication of *Spare*. The memoir, which contained revelations and accusations that shook the royal family, is seen by many as a major factor in the ongoing rift.

The brothers’ distance from one another was further highlighted at a family funeral earlier this month, where they reportedly did not speak at all. Their communication has reportedly been minimal since the passing of their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2022, suggesting that the relationship is far from being repaired.

As the rift between Prince William and Prince Harry continues, many look back to the subtle signs of tension that surfaced before their public fallout. While their bond as brothers may not be completely severed, it appears that the path to reconciliation remains long and uncertain, with unresolved grievances and growing distance standing in the way of a reunion.