Prince William's Future Royal Role May Be the Reason Why Prince Harry Is Struggling With Family Feud

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Hugh Grosvenor’s wedding last week highlighted an aspect of the royal feud between Prince William and Prince Harry that not many people had thought of. While the groom has remained staunchly neutral in the rift and invited both sides to his nuptials, other royal-adjacent friends have been more proactive in taking sides — and it’s reportedly frustrating to the Duke of Sussex.

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“The reality is he’s lost his place among Britain’s high society,” an In Touch source revealed. There are some days when Harry says he can’t take it anymore — the slights, the coldness coming from the palace, it’s like he’s no longer a part of that family.” The aspect of the family fracture that seems to cut Harry deeply is the fact that the power of the throne will always win in the end. William and Harry had many friends in common, but when push came to shove, the allure of being close to the royal family won out.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex greets the public while departing The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul's Cathedral on May 08, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Invictus Games Foundation)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 08: Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex greets the public while departing The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 08, 2024 in London, England.

“Harry’s been forced to step back from many of his former friendships, including with Hugh,” they added. “It only serves to remind him where he fits into the royal scheme of things. He’s been relegated to the back of the room.” The shift by his former pals is due to their “loyalty to the royal family” and he’s reportedly developed a sensitivity to “people’s disdain for him whether real or perceived.” Well, can you blame him? Harry and Meghan Markle have continually been treated poorly by the palace, and while his memoir, Spare, obviously ruffled royalty feathers, the Duke of Sussex has continually held out an olive branch for King Charles III and his older brother.

His isolation is only one-sided, though. Princess Diana’s family welcomed Harry with open arms when he visited the U.K. recently. Uncle Charles (Earl) Spencer and Harry’s aunt Lady Jane Fellowes were more than happy to show their support at the Invictus Games’ 10th anniversary event. The Spencer family knows all too well how an outsider in the family can be treated by the palace and the inner circle of friends — they witnessed it firsthand with Diana. It’s why they seem to want to show up for Harry as a united front.

Harry and Meghan’s circle looks much different these days as they lean into their California life, and it proves that many of their royal pals were only fair-weather friends. It’s a tough lesson to learn, but Harry and Meghan now know who their true pals are.

Before you go, click here to see every single time the royal family shaded Meghan Markle and Prince Harry since they stepped down as royals.

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