A timeline of Prince William and Prince Harry's royal family drama and feud
They've been feuding for some years nowPrince Harry and Prince William used to be incredibly close – however, a rift has developed in recent years that has caused some royal family drama.
On March 31, 2020, Harry officially stepped away from royal duties with his wife Meghan. They had announced their decision in January of that year.
But the couple’s business moves, including their partnership with Netflix, after they stepped back reportedly left William “livid”.
Here’s a timeline of the brothers’ royal drama and a look at what their relationship is like now…
November 2018 – Claims of Prince Harry and William family drama emerges
Back in November 2018, reports emerged claiming that the relationship between Prince Harry, 40, and William, 42, had become slightly strained.
According to insiders at the time, Harry wasn’t happy with the effort William made for Meghan Markle to feel welcome within the royal family.
“Harry felt William wasn’t rolling out the red carpet for Meghan and told him so. They had a bit of a fallout, which was only resolved when Charles stepped in and asked William to make an effort. That’s when the Cambridges invited the Sussexes to spend Christmas with them,” a source claimed.
Early 2019 – Prince Harry goes ‘ballistic’ over William’s ‘warning’ over Meghan
A 2019 TLC documentary, Kate v. Meghan: Princesses at War? claimed that William had expressed some concern in 2016 about how fast Harry and Meghan’s relationship was moving.
“I think what was meant as well-intended brotherly advice just riled Harry. Harry is hugely protective of Meghan. He saw that as criticism. He interpreted that as his brother not really being behind this marriage, this union, and I don’t think things have been quite right ever since,” royal expert Katie Nicholl said.
According to another royal source, Harry went “ballistic” with his brother. The duke reportedly said: “You’re trying to wreck this relationship before it’s even started.”
April 2019 – Harry and William ‘ignore each other’ at Easter
During a royal family outing to an Easter service in April 2019, William and Harry appeared to actively ignore each other.
As a source in PEOPLE magazine said: “Harry was seen talking to [his cousin] Zara and exchanging pleasantries with Kate but did not say anything to his elder brother.”
However, a month later, Harry reportedly offered his brother an olive branch by inviting him round to have dinner at Frogmore Cottage.
May 2019 – Archie’s birth
In May 2019, reports claimed that Harry and William weren’t speaking much. However, the arrival of Prince Archie – Harry and Meghan’s son – had apparently helped improve things.
Speaking to ET at the time, royal expert Katie Nicholl said: “I was told by a very senior royal source that actually they weren’t talking to each other at one point. I certainly think now that Archie is here, it has probably really helped to improve the relationship. William is over the moon that his brother is a dad.”
October 2019 – Prince Harry hints at strained relationship for first time
However, a few months later, Harry dropped a bombshell, seemingly hinting that there was rift between himself and William.
“Part of this role and part of this job, and this family, being under the pressure that it’s under, inevitably, you know, stuff happens,” he said during an interview for the documentary, Harry & Meghan: An African Journey.
“But 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,” he then added.
“We don’t see each other as much as we used to because we’re so busy, but you know, I love him dearly. The majority of this stuff [in the press] is created out of nothing, but you know, as brothers, you know, you have good days, you have bad days.”
November 2019 – Sussexes plan to spend Christmas away from royal family
In November 2019, it was reported that Harry and Meghan would be spending their first Christmas with Archie away from the royals.
Rather than going to Sandringham with the rest of the family, they’d be spending the festive period with Meghan’s mum, Doria.
“The rift between William and Harry is one of the main reasons behind their decision. As it’s Archie’s first Christmas, they want it to be super special. It’ll be just Doria and the three of them,” a source told US Weekly.
January 2020 – Harry and Meghan announce exit from senior royal roles
In January, Harry and Meghan made the momentous decision to quit life as working royals.
William was reportedly left “blindsided” by the decision. “There’s still a rift between the two brothers. It’s sad because when they were younger, William would be the first person Harry would go to with big news like this,” a source told US Weekly.
However, the brothers came together to hit back at claims that William had “bullied” his younger brother out of the royal fold.
“For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful,” their statement said.
June 2020 – William ‘livid’ over Harry and Meghan’s Netflix deal
With Harry now settling in the US, it was reported that William was still annoyed by his younger brother’s decision.
“William is so tired and done with the drama of it all,” a source told US Weekly. “Seeing Harry cut ties with virtually every aspect of his English life and identity is so hard to fathom.”
The following month, it was announced that Harry and Meghan had signed a deal with Netflix. The royals weren’t happy, especially considering their complicated relationship with hit show The Crown (William hadn’t watched).
“William and other senior royals are incredibly uncomfortable about this drama and livid Harry is now in partnership with the company that’s airing it,” a source told The Sun at the time.
March 2021 – Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview
Just over a year after moving to the US, Harry and Meghan sat down for their now infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey.
As well as discussing various aspects of royal life, Harry also addressed his relationship with William.
“As I’ve said before, I love William to bits. He’s my brother. We’ve been to hell together. But we’re on different paths,” he said.
“The relationship is ‘space’ at the moment. And time heals all things, hopefully,” he then added.
Royal author Katie Nicholl then said that William felt “devastated” by the interview.
April 2021 – ‘Frosty’ relations at Prince Philip’s funeral
Over a month on from Harry’s interview, his grandfather Prince Philip died at the age of 99.
Harry jetted back to the UK for the funeral. However, things were described as being “frosty” between himself and his brother at the service.
“Harry didn’t expect everything to be completely back to normal but his feeling after seeing his family was there is a lot of ground to make up,” a source told The Mirror.
July 2021 – Princess Diana remembrance helps kickstart ‘healing’ between William and Harry
In July of 2021, a statue of the late Princess Diana was unveiled – and both Harry and William were there for it.
Reports alleged at the time that their relationship began healing here as they reminisced about their mother.
“William and Harry spent the morning before the statue unveiling looking through old keepsakes, notes from Diana and bonding,” a source told US Weekly at the time.
“They have absolutely turned a new page in their relationship and have started the healing. Everyone around them was thrilled to see how close they were on the day of the statue unveiling,” they then added.
December 2022 – Harry & Meghan on Netflix airs with more allegations about royal family
As 2022 came to a close, Netflix released docuseries Harry & Meghan.
The docuseries – which came out not long after Harry and William’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022 – contained several instances where Harry and Meghan took shots at the Waleses.
At one point, Harry said: “For so many people in the family, especially obviously the men, there can be a temptation or an urge to marry someone who would fit the mold as opposed to somebody who you are perhaps destined to be with.
“The difference between making decisions with your head or your heart. My mum certainly made most of her decisions, if not all of them, from her heart, and I am my mother’s son.”
Another allegation made in the doc was that William had “shouted” at his brother. He also alleged that the joint statement the brothers issued in January 2020 wasn’t actually joint. He claimed he had no knowledge of it before publication.
“I couldn’t believe it, no one had asked me. No one had asked my permission to put my name to a statement like that,” he said.
Reports claimed that William felt “very, very angry” with Harry about the docuseries.
January 2023 – Harry releases tell-all memoir Spare
January 2023 saw tensions raised even further thanks to the release of Harry’s memoir, Spare.
In the book, Harry claimed that William had physically attacked him during an argument in 2019 over Meghan.
“He grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and he knocked me to the floor. I landed on the dog’s bowl, which cracked under my back, the pieces cutting into me. I lay there for a moment, dazed, then got to my feet and told him to get out,” he wrote.
He also alleged that William and Kate had “encouraged” him to wear a Nazi outfit during an infamous party in 2005 – a move that sparked outrage globally.
February 2024 – Harry travels back to the UK after King Charles’ cancer diagnosis
Last year saw the king announce his cancer diagnosis.
Harry flew back to the UK to meet with his dad. However, he didn’t go and see his brother, Prince William. This was despite both of them being in the country at the time.
“The duke’s primary reason to travel to the UK is to visit his father. If the opportunity were to arise to see the Prince of Wales then the duke would have gladly accepted it,” a source told the Mirror at the time.
September 2024 – William wishes Harry a happy birthday
Considering it’s such a basic thing to do, the fact that William wished his brother a happy birthday last year spoke volumes.
The king wrote a message on Instagram and X reading: “Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!”
William and Kate then re-shared the message, adding: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to the Duke of Sussex.”
Whether their relationship will continue to improve remains unknown.
Read more: Prince Harry’s private information in visa document to remain sealed as judge makes major decision
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