Prince William and Prince Harry have been dogged by persistent rumours of a feud after the brothers’ relationship appeared to grow colder. The new biography ‘Finding Freedom,’ which focuses on Harry and wife Meghan Markle’s decision to quit the Royal Family, has now suggested the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex showed signed of a break as early as 2018. The biography has claimed the brothers turned Prince Charles’ 70th birthday celebrations into a “nightmare” because of their cooling relationship.
Authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand said Harry and William blew “hot and cold” with their father as plans were being set out for a commemorative photograph.
The final snaps did not betray any struggle between the Dukes, who appeared beaming alongside their wives Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan Markle.
But the biography suggested William and Harry had grown distant after the Duke of Cambridge urged his younger brother to spend more time learning about his future wife.
The Duke of Sussex was suggested to have interpreted the comments as a snub against Meghan and to have led to a break with William.
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After years of joint engagements, the brothers were seen to have reduced common engagements to a minimum – appearing together on rare occasions for the last two years of Prince Harry’s royal career.
The Duke of Sussex announced in January he and the Duchess had decided to take a step back from the Royal Family to establish themselves independently abroad.
Harry agreed to a one-year trial period to test out the waters and launch a private non-profit organisation with Meghan.
The distance however appeared to have helped Harry and William start the mending process as they kept in close contact when Prince Charles was diagnosed with the coronavirus.
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Royal commentator Katie Nicholl also suggested Prince Charles’ illness had helped William and Harry bridge the gap dividing them.
Mr Nicholl said: “My understanding was that the relationship between the royal brothers was on a better track than it was when Harry left.
“I think they became closer during the lockdown, particularly when the Prince of Wales was not well. I was told the boys were in regular touch on the phone.
“We don’t know whether they’ve spoken in light of this serialisation and the many headlines it has generated but I think it’s safe to say this has done the relationship no help at all.”
