Prince William and Prince Harry were once inseparable during their youth, according to a former royal staffer who witnessed their relationship closely. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex shared a unique connection shaped by the loss of their mother, Princess Diana, whose death in 1997 profoundly impacted both brothers.
Speaking to The Mirror, former royal butler Grant Harold reflected on their early bond. “William and Harry were so close, as brothers go. With many siblings, you can be close as children and then maybe drift a bit as you grow up in your late teens and early 20s, but William and Harry were the opposite,” Harold said.
He added, “I don’t know if it’s because of their mother’s death, but they were inseparable. They were hanging out together, going to pubs together, just having fun together.”
Observers have long noted how Diana’s death created a sense of solidarity between the brothers, who leaned on each other through grief while growing up in the public eye. In the years that followed, William and Harry were frequently seen side by side at official events, military service, and charitable work.
However, their bond has faced strain in more recent years. Prince Harry stepped away from royal duties in 2020, moving to California with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their son, Prince Archie. The couple later accused the Royal Family of racism toward their child and voiced their grievances in high-profile television interviews.
Since relocating to the United States, Harry and Meghan have welcomed a daughter, Princess Lilibet, and pursued independent careers in media and philanthropy. Meanwhile, Prince William has focused on his growing role within the monarchy as heir to the throne.
Despite the public rift, reminders of their once-close relationship continue to surface. Harold’s recollection highlights a period when William and Harry shared not just family ties but also a friendship rooted in shared experiences and mutual support.
For many royal watchers, the contrast between those inseparable years and their current estrangement underscores the deep challenges facing the brothers’ relationship today. Still, insiders often suggest that their shared history and the bond forged through tragedy may leave the door open for future reconciliation.
As the monarchy moves forward into a new chapter under King Charles III, the relationship between William and Harry remains one of the most closely watched dynamics within the Royal Family.