Prince William under ‘constant strain’ as he ‘misses out the most’ following heartbreaking royal change

Prince William reportedly feels ‘constant strain’ after a ‘deeply upsetting’ absence in his life...

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visits the Foundling Museum to learn more about the care sector
(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Prince William reportedly feels “constant strain” and has been the one of the people who “misses out the most” following a major royal change. 


Ever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle “stepped back” from royal life, there has been increasing speculation about a “rift” between them and the extended Royal Family after this major change. The intense scrutiny has particularly focused upon the bond between the Queen’s grandchildren, Prince Harry and Prince William, especially after the Sussexes’ bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview. Here Prince Harry described his relationship with his brother as “distance”. The two have only reunited twice in person since then, for their grandfather Prince Philip’s funeral and for the unveiling of a new Princess Diana statue

Reports suggested that Kate Middleton was heartbroken to see her husband so “distraught” amid his apparent “estrangement” from his brother. Now royal expert Duncan Larcombe has revealed that the “rift” is a “constant strain” upon the future King.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrive for the unveiling of a statue

(Image credit: Photo by Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Opening up to OK! magazine Duncan expressed his belief that despite trying to put the past behind him, the so-called “rift” with Prince Harry isn’t something Prince William can ignore.  

"It’s very clear to those that know William that the rift with his brother is not something that he can just forget about,” he claimed. "It's very much, as you can imagine, a constant strain. It is for Harry as well, they’re both as stubborn as mules.”

Duncan continued, “That’s not great when two best friends and brothers fall out. If anybody knows what it’s like to fall out with a best friend or a brother who was close to you when you were growing up, it’s not nice. You miss them."

Prince William and Prince Harry attend church in Sandringham

(Image credit: Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

According to the royal expert, there’s “a lot of regret” for both brothers about the way things have gone between them in recent years. And while everything else seems to be slotting into place for the Duke of Cambridge despite some “moments of self-doubt” about becoming King, Prince Harry’s absence reportedly continues to hurt him. 

Duncan stated, "There is a lot of regret there and I think it’s on both sides. Everything else seems to be going right for William at this time, he’s riding the crest of a wave in most aspects of his life, but sadly he has the absence of Prince Harry, his brother, from his life.

"William’s always had a set plan of where he wants to be in five years, how he’s going to transition from prince to husband to father to future king. He’s basically ticked all of those boxes that he set out to tick when he was graduating from university but the one thing not going right for him is something that is deeply upsetting."

Prince Harry walks with his best man, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge as they arrive at St George's Chapel

(Image credit: Photo by Gareth Fuller - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Despite some believing Prince William and Prince Harry’s reconciliation is “unlikely”, Duncan suggested this might not be impossible after everything they’ve already gone through.

"I think there’ll always be a way back,” he said. “These are brothers that glued together as they lost their mother, they went through that bereavement and as is quite clear they dealt with it in different ways but they were very close. Every week the rift continues, Harry and William are the two people who are missing out the most."

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!