William and Harry: Why there had to be a rupture between the princes

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry was also asked about the relationship with Prince William and emphasized again that they were on “different paths”.

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A myth arose about Prince Harry and Prince William in the late summer of 1997 that has lasted to the present: the story of the sad brothers united by the death of their own mother. As the two ran after Diana’s coffin, heads bowed, they opened the hearts of each. Harry and William belong together, nobody can separate the brothers, it was felt from then on.

Prince Harry on Prince William: “Are on different paths”

When asked about his relationship with William by Oprah Winfrey, Harry said on US television on Sunday evening: “You know, like I said, I love William more than anything. He’s my brother. We went through hell together. We have one shared experience. But we are on different paths. ” After all that has happened in recent years, the statement is not surprising. But it was true even before Duchess Meghan appeared on the scene. Because the brothers are on different paths. Literally. One way leads to the throne, the other doesn’t.

No matter how close the relationship between William and Harry could be – the succession to the throne alone ensures that the two have to shape their lives differently. Prince William is the future king, so the responsibility for the monarchy was placed in his cradle. Harry, on the other hand, has always been considered a hothead who inherited a lot from his mother, especially stubbornness and the rebellious. Long years before he met his current wife, Harry rebelled against the strict institution of the monarchy. He played strip poker in Las Vegas, roamed the nightclubs in London, made headlines with his relationships. Scandals that William should never have afforded in this form.

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Princess Diana was aware of the differences between her sons from an early age. It was her big concern to raise William and Harry the same and as normal as possible. A wish that the rest of the family apparently did not grant her, after all, William was the heir to the throne, while Harry was not. And so she made up for the attention William got from senior family members as best she could herself. Diana spent a lot of time with Prince Harry to make sure he was not put at a disadvantage.

Prince William is aware of his responsibility

And so Harry’s exit from the royal construct is less surprising and, above all, less frightening than if Prince William had taken this step. Even if William wanted to leave, he couldn’t. The future of the monarchy may stand or fall with him. A responsibility that has rested on his shoulders since he was born and of which he is aware.

Today we have to say in retrospect: the story of the sad brothers, who cannot be divided, was just a myth even then. At some point there had to be a crash between the dutiful William, who accepts his role in the system without objection, and the hothead Harry, who loves his freedom and never shrank from criticizing things that in his opinion are not going right.

Harry has found the perfect teammate in Meghan. She organized his emotional thoughts, translated and converted his feelings into words and deeds. She was the accelerator for a fire that was started long before her time.

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