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The status of Prince Harry and Prince William’s tense relationship is unclear right now but, given their icy exchange at their last royal appearance together, some wonder if they will ever have the close bond they once shared. One royal source believes the brothers’ relationship has been β€œforever changed.”

Prince Harry, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince William, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge as they depart Westminster Abbey after attending the annual Commonwealth Service in London
Prince Harry, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince William, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge | PHIL HARRIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Prince Harry confirmed he and Prince William were feuding

During an interview for the 2019 documentary, Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, Prince Harry admitted that things had been tense between him and Prince William. Rumors had been floating for some time that the brothers had been feuding, with many reports pointing towards William’s well-intentioned advice for Harry about not rushing into a relationship with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, as a possible cause of their disagreement.

β€œPart of this role and part of this job and this family being under the pressure that it’s under… inevitably, you know, stuff happens,” Harry said during the interview.

He continued: β€œBut, look, we’re brothers. We’ll always be brothers. We’re certainly on different paths at the moment but I will always be there for him and, as I know, he will always be there for me.”

β€œBut as brothers, you have good days and you have bad days,” he noted.

The brothers didn’t seem warm towards each other at their final engagement

Of course, all eyes were on the brothers when they both attended to the Commonwealth Day service, as it would be their final public appearance together. Royal fans hoped to see some warmth between them, but it appeared there was a cold exchange.

They had the briefest of interactions β€” as Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrived to their seats, Prince Harry and Meghan gave a smile and wave.

β€œItΒ wasn’t the warm reunionΒ that we were all hoping for,” body language expert Judi James shared with The Mirror. β€œThe tension in Harry’s body language especially was palpable.Β When Harry arrived, the minute he and Meghan had to drop hands, he immediately reached for his wedding ring which is a self comfort.”

She added, β€œEven when she was beside him after they had stopped holding hands, he was missing her, needing her support. As Harry walked up the aisle, they both waved at the children, but his face otherwise was quite tense and unsmiling.”

β€œHarry and Meghan looked a lot more genuinely cheerful, and Harry especially, threw a really affectionate smile at Kate,” James noted. β€œAs they took their seats Harry threw Kate an open-mouthed smile and β€˜hello’ of what looked like genuine pleasure and Meghan raised her brows and smiled in an equally friendly ritual.”

Prince Harry and Meghan’s exit isn’t likely to improve things

The two have shared a bond as brothers, but Prince Harry and Prince William’s recent tension may not see any improvement with Prince Harry and Meghan leaving the royal family, an insider claims.

A source told People that Prince Harry and Prince William’s relationship is β€œforever changed,” explaining, β€œThey won’t get back to the way they were. Harry is looking straight ahead at his future with his family.”

β€œHe’s not looking back,” the source added.

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward believes that Princess Diana would be disappointed by the brothers’ rift. β€œOne thing Diana said was, β€˜Please, whatever happens, remember you always have each other, and I want you always to stick together.’ And clearly that can’t happen for a long time,” Seward noted.