How Prince Harry ‘Left a Large Gap’ in Prince William’s World After Royal Exit

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On the 4th of June, Prince William paid a visit to Wattisham Air Base in Suffolk, England. Here, he conversed with soldiers belonging to the Army Air Corps and bestowed the King’s Commendation for Valuable Service award. Being an experienced search and rescue pilot, he arrived at and departed from the location aboard a reconnaissance Wildcat helicopter. The prince looked quite dashing and comfortable in his military uniform and beret as he explored the premises and observed training exercises. His father, King Charles, conferred upon him the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps last May.

On the same day, in Montecito, California, Prince Harry was also making headlines – albeit in a very contrasting manner. In celebration of their daughter Lilibet’s 4th birthday, Meghan Markle, Harry’s wife, posted a throwback video on her Instagram account. This video captured the couple dancing in a hospital room as they waited for Meghan to give birth. “When spicy food, long walks, and acupuncture didn’t work – there was only one thing left to do,” Meghan wrote alongside the popular clip, where they are seen grooving to the song “Baby Mama” by Starrkeisha.

From the perspective of a devoted admirer, the dichotomy between the two brothers couldn’t be more apparent. If Harry had continued his royal duties, I believe he would have been the one stationed at Wattisham Air Base, given his experience flying Apache helicopters during his military tenure in the British army. However, since stepping away from his royal responsibilities in 2020, Harry has embarked on a new journey alongside Meghan, who is 43, and their two children, Archie (aged 6) and an unspecified younger one. On the other hand, William, aged 42, is immersed in preparing for his future reign as King of England while juggling his roles as a devoted husband to Catherine, aged 43, and an involved father to their three children: George (aged 11), Charlotte (aged 10), and Louis (aged 7). A royal insider exclusively shares with Us Weekly that “Harry and Meghan are emphasizing a life filled with joy and carefreeness, while William’s is characterized by duty and public service. They lead distinct lives.

Night and Day

Harry’s life in Montecito contrasts significantly with his time in the U.K., as a working royal. According to royal commentator Amanda Matta, he now relishes the freedom he lacked before, enabling him to raise his children according to his preferences and engage in leisure activities like bike rides or dates without constant media scrutiny. A peek into Harry’s current way of life can be found on Meghan’s social media return, showcasing him frolicking on the beach with Archie and Lili, visiting Disneyland, and even attending a Beyoncé concert. During her June 17 interview on the “Aspire with Emma Grede” podcast, Meghan — who debuted her new lifestyle series, “With Love, Meghan,” and As Ever product line in March — expressed gratitude for the ability to share family moments at her own discretion.

On the other side of the ocean, William is wholly committed to carrying out his royal responsibilities. As expressed by royal historian Marlene Koenig, he’s making the most of his new position as Prince of Wales. With Kate back in good health following her cancer battle, Charles, who is still undergoing treatment at 76, has found a strong ally in his son. Koenig remarks that William takes on his role as heir to the throne with unwavering dedication and an understanding of his duties: He supports the king while also forging his own path towards becoming monarch himself.

Come July, I’ll be joining forces with Kate to welcome President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse, Brigitte, at Windsor Castle, followed by a state visit from President Donald Trump in September, according to plans. As for the anticipation surrounding my role, Richard Fitzwilliams, a renowned royal expert, describes it as “unremitting,” yet he expresses confidence in my abilities. He believes I’m well-equipped to shoulder the responsibility of becoming king. After all, I’ve proven myself to be an adept diplomat, and my popularity here and in the U.S. is quite substantial.

Bitterness Remains

Five years since Harry’s departure, a lingering sense of bitterness remains. As an insider puts it, “Harry’s absence left a significant void in William’s life, not just emotionally but also practically.” The plan was for Harry to collaborate closely with William, supporting each other during William’s reign and sharing responsibilities. So, having Harry gone is challenging. William feels let down by his brother – though he would never express it openly. In the meantime, William intends to rely more on his cousins, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Matta states that although William doesn’t feel jealous towards Harry’s new lifestyle, he has adopted certain strategies from his younger brother. He explains, “William has chosen to take brief periods away from public scrutiny to safeguard his family and create personal time, as well as increasing his influence over his own platform.” Matta adds, “This is a more subdued and calculated approach compared to Harry’s breakaway.

For Harry, there are remorseful feelings – not due to departing from The Firm, but rather over the numerous casualties along the way, such as his bond with William and his father, several old companions, his military honors, and his royal patronages. According to Koenig, Harry hasn’t quite found his footing in non-royal life yet. “He hasn’t been particularly successful, especially when it comes to generating income for the family,” Koenig notes. Interestingly, this task appears to have largely fallen on Meghan, as her book series, ‘With Love, Meghan,’ was renewed for a second season, while her podcast, “Confessions of a Female Founder,” is currently on an indefinite break as she concentrates on her As Ever brand.

No Turning Back

Over time, it appears that William and Harry are growing increasingly distant from each other, with no open conflicts but also no communication. Matta points out that there seems to be no contact between the siblings for quite some time now. As for their future, it appears that both brothers are pursuing different paths independently. Matta further notes that a possible return of Harry to royal life, especially if it involves William extending an olive branch, seems extremely unlikely due to the lack of trust. Koening also mentions that the distance between them is more than just geographical; there are currently no plans for reconciliation and they are essentially living completely separate lives.

To learn more about William and Harry, don’t forget to check out the exclusive video we have for you, located just above this text. Additionally, be sure to grab the most recent edition of “Us Weekly” from your local newsstands for even more details!

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2025-06-25 21:24