Prince William and Prince Harry's Relationship Was Reportedly Still "Strained" Ahead of the Coronation
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For years, brothers Prince Harry and Prince William seemed to have a close bond in the public eye. However, the reality of their complicated relationship is discussed in great detail in Harry's "Spare" memoir.
The eye-opening book, which was released on Jan. 10 following several leaks to the press, reveals several bombshell revelations about Harry and William, including what Harry writes was a physical altercation between the two during an argument about Harry's wife, Meghan Markle. In multiple interviews, Harry has divulged more details about their ever-growing rift, which, contrary to popular belief, began shortly after the two brothers' mother, Princess Diana, died on Aug. 31, 1997.
During Harry's "60 Minutes" interview with Anderson Cooper on Jan. 8, he revealed that he and his brother basically lived separate lives after their mom died, recounting the time when William told him to pretend they didn't know each other when they started attending the same school. "At the time, it hurt. I couldn't make sense of it," Harry said. "I was like, 'What do you mean? We're now at the same school. Like, I haven't seen you for ages, now we get to hang out together.' He's like, 'No, no, no, when we're at school, we don't know each other.' And I took that personally."
Though they've slowly drifted apart in recent years, Harry and William have come together for some family and formal gatherings — like their wedding days, Prince Philip's funeral, and the funeral of their grandmother Queen Elizabeth II — and to mourn their mother's death on anniversaries. In 2017, during a Heads Together campaign promoting mental health, William said, "We have been brought closer as a result of the circumstances. We are uniquely bonded because of what we've been through."
William and Harry both attended King Charles III's coronation on May 6. Ahead of the event, People reported that "things are strained" between the brothers. In a story published on April 20, a palace insider told the publication that there reportedly had been no communication between them leading up to their father's coronation. "I don't think the coronation and a big conversation can be conflated," the source said. Reps for both Harry and William did not immediately respond to POPSUGAR's requests for comment.
Ahead, take a look at photos of Harry and William over the years.
Pictures of Prince Harry and Prince William
William and Harry chatted before the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother for what would've been her 60th birthday in 2021.
William and Harry took part in Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022.
William and Harry rode horses for a charity polo match in July 2019.
Harry and William reunited at the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial in November 2019.
William and Harry shook hands after competing against each other in the Sentebale Polo Cup in June 2011.
They pointed out runners at the London Marathon in April 2017.
William and Harry attended a photocall during military helicopter training in June 2009.
They looked on in disbelief at C-3PO during an April 2016 visit to meet the creative teams working behind the scenes on the Star Wars films.
Harry watched William as he chatted with David Beckham during a royal reception in June 2010.
They attended a service of thanksgiving during their grandmother's Diamond Jubilee in June 2012.
William and Harry donned top hats and tails during Derby Day in June 2011.
The young brothers played together on a slide in the garden of Highgrove House with their mother, Diana, in July 1986.
Will and Harry shared a laugh (and a drink) during a reception at Windsor Castle in May 2012.
They received bottles of Champagne at a fundraising event in January 2008.
Harry and William couldn't help but get up close and personal with a Batsuit at Warner Bros. Studios in London back in April 2013.
They chatted between photos at Laura Parker Bowles's wedding in May 2006.
Harry and William sported matching blue coats as they held hands with their mother while arriving in Scotland back in March 1986.
William and Harry played on a fire engine at Sandringham in January 1988.
They applauded during the Prince's Trust Live Show in May 2006.
Harry beamed while competing against his older brother in The Chakravarty Cup Polo Match in July 2010.
They smiled at each other during the Sovereign's Parade in April 2006.
William and Harry wore adorable matching ensembles as they arrived in Aberdeen, Scotland, with Princess Diana in August 1989.
They attended the Tour De France together in July 2014.
William gave a wave and Harry smiled for the cameras as they arrived for the Royal Tournament in Earls Court back in July 1988.
William and Harry gingerly patted a horse when they visited the Badminton Horse Trials in May 1991.
They arrived in style to celebrate World Mental Health Day at the London Eye in October 2016.
William and Harry stuck side by side as they read cards and tributes to their mother, Princess Diana, during her funeral procession in September 1997.
They took part in a phone trade during the BGC Charity Day in September 2013.
Things got competitive for the two as they played soccer with a group of kids during a visit to the Semongkong Children's Centre in Lesotho in June 2010.
During their June 2010 visit to Lesotho, William and Harry took part in a game in which they had their bodies outlined and then wrote down their future wishes with a group of kids.
They looked slick in sunglasses while attending a commemoration for the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge in April 2017.
William and Harry waved as they arrived at the royal yacht Britannia in October 1991.
Things got a little dangerous as Harry prodded William with an African rock python during their visit to Lesotho in June 2010.
Harry and William visited Niagara Falls with Diana in October 1991.
They shared a laugh after playing in the Audi Polo Challenge in May 2014.
Harry and William joined a pregnant Kate Middleton to re-create Harry Potter scenes on the Diagon Alley set during a visit to Warner Bros. Studios in April 2013.
The brothers played soccer with a group of kids in Lesotho in June 2010.
The boys wore matching army uniforms on the steps of Highgrove House in July 1986.
They looked handsome and grown-up while leaving the wedding of their father, King Charles III, to Camilla Parker Bowles in April 2005.
They posed for a Twitter photo with Jamal Edwards during the launch of The Queen's Young Leaders Programme at Buckingham Palace in July 2014.
William and Harry helped build a flood defense wall around a school in February 2014.
Harry shared a smile with William on his and Kate Middleton's wedding day in April 2011.
They stood together in front of the Help For Heroes statue in May 2013.
William and Harry cheered for the home team during the London Olympics in August 2012.
They walked side by side while arriving at Pippa Middleton and James Matthews's wedding in May 2017.
William and Harry cuddled up in blankets during their trip to South Africa in June 2010.
They danced with children affected by HIV during a visit to Lesotho in June 2010.
Harry and William helped a little boy put gloves on during a visit to a child education center in Lesotho in June 2010.
They looked as cute as could be on their first day of school back in April 1990.
The boys participated in a bicycle match in 2002.
William and Harry exchanged glances after a polo match in 2013.
They shared a hug at the Invictus Games in 2014.
William and Harry wore personalized hard hats while tour a building site in 2015.
Harry gave William a "look" as he cheered during the Rugby World Cup in 2015.
The brothers had fun with lightsabers as they toured the set of Star Wars in 2016.