Diana's Boys Drift Apart

She wanted the brothers to share a close bond – but there are worrying signs of a growing rift between Harry and William

- Nici De Wet

THEY were the boys the world fell in love with – two sweet-faced brothers united in grief as they grappled with the prospect of a future without their mother.

As they entered adulthood their bond strengthened – and Diana must’ve been looking down on them with pleasure and pride. Shortly before the princess’ death she begged her sons to always look out for each other. For years, that’s exactly what they did.

Galloping about on a polo field, attending royal functions, getting stuck into causes close to their hearts... Whatever they did, princes William and Harry were a unified force.

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Kate’s arrival on the scene did little to break the ties. If anything, it strengthened them and Harry, far from being a third wheel, developed a close friendship with Kate.

Then Harry met Meghan and everything changed. The once easy camaraderie has evaporated and what started as rumours of bad blood between the brothers is growing into one of the biggest crises the royal family has ever faced. Everyone from Queen Elizabeth down is said to be worried about Harry, who royal insiders say is becoming increasingly emotionally fragile as the weeks roll by.

As the drama continues unabated, Diana’s beloved boys, once so close, seem to be drifting further and further apart.

BARING HIS SOUL

Harry took the unprecedented step of opening up about his relationship with his brother during a recent ITV documentary about his and Meghan’s tour to Southern African.

In Harry and Meghan: An African Journey, journalist Tom Bradby – who’s also a friend of the prince – asks how true the rumours of trouble between him and William are.

Instead of denying them outright, Harry admits that “stuff happens” when you’re part of “this role and family and under pressure”.