Prince Harry and Prince William, once inseparable brothers, now tread the turbulent path of rivalry under the watchful eyes of the world. Their once unbreakable bond has been tested by clashing responsibilities, personal struggles, and relentless public scrutiny. Childhood laughter has faded into an echo overshadowed by tension, secrets, and unspoken resentments. Every royal appearance and whispered rumor deepens the divide between them. Theirs is a story of privilege entwined with heartbreak, drama, and suspense. Yet one question lingers, demanding answers: where did the rivalry begin?

It all reportedly began in childhood, with a single, cutting comment that quietly planted the seed of rivalry. From that moment, the bond between Prince Harry and Prince William began to fracture.

Paul Burrell, former butler to Princess Diana, revealed in Channel 5's documentary The Palace: What the Royal Servants Saw that the roots of tension between Prince Harry and Prince William may trace back to a seemingly trivial childhood mealtime. Burrell explained that their nanny often favored Prince of Wales, offering him extra portions, including three sausages, while the Duke received fewer. Young Duke reportedly thought, "Why did you get three sausages and I got two?" Such early moments may have quietly fueled the lifelong rivalry between the brothers.

Paul Burrell, who spent ten years serving Princess Diana, had a unique perspective on Prince Harry and Prince William. Even in their early twenties, the Duke "always felt he was in second place" to his elder brother, as reported by Mirror as well. Despite this underlying resentment, he remained warm, playful, and approachable, effortlessly charming those around him and often seen as the more relatable and likable sibling within the royal circle. Meghan Markle also reacted to the ongoing feud, offering her perspective on the tension between the brothers.

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Meghan Markle’s emotional response to Prince William’s cutting remarks resurfaced, revealing the deep strain within the royal family and highlighting the personal toll of their long-standing feud on those caught in its crossfire.

In episode five of the controversial Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, Prince Harry recounted a painful moment that strained his relationship with Prince William. Without the Duke's consent, a joint palace statement denied bullying claims, shielding Prince of Wales’s reputation while ignoring the truth of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s experience. When the Spare author shared this betrayal with the duchess, she became distraught over the palace’s willingness to deceive. The duke reflected on the story claiming, “Meghan and I were leaving was because William had bullied us out.”

Building on mounting tension, King Charles and Prince Harry’s senior aides convened secretly in London, signaling a first meaningful step toward mending fractured family ties. Meredith Maines traveled from Los Angeles to join Tobyn Andreae at the exclusive Royal Over-Seas League near Clarence House, with Liam Maguire attending. The informal gathering opened a rare channel of communication and sparked cautious hope, even as the origins of rivalry between the brothers trace back to their earliest childhood days.

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What do you think about the incident that sparked the rivalry between the royal brothers? Let us know in the comments below.