Prince Harry and William's fallout boils down to a very bitter disagreement

03 February 2024 , 18:16

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Harry and William's rift has deepened over the last few years (Image: Getty Images)

The real reason behind Prince Harry and Prince William's fallout may be due to a bitter disagreement over conservation.

The warring brothers have had a fractious relationship in recent years, with their sibling rivalry hitting the headlines following Harry and Meghan Markle ’s exit from the Royal Family in 2020. The couple relocated to the US after stepping down as senior royals, but took part in an explosive tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, where he briefly discussed his bitter relationship with big brother William.

It was originally thought that William and Harry had fallen out over the Duke of Sussex’s relationship with Meghan, as the 39-year-old recalled he and his brother having a physical altercation at Frogmore Cottage over the former Suits star’s behaviour. However, a new source has revealed that the brothers’ rift is due to a long-standing row over conservation.

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William and Harry have been at odds for years

Both William and Harry have followed in their mother Princess Diana’s footsteps when it comes to being involved with charities and conservation, but they have had opposing views on how to manage projects that preserve protected species in Africa. According to The Times, William disagreed with his younger brother’s approach, and that began the demise of their sibling bond.

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"They are both very passionate about saving protected species but didn’t always share the same view about how to run projects in Africa," the source claimed. It was alleged that while William supports community-led initiatives to help locals preserve the land themselves, Harry prefers an interventionist, hands-on approach. "He felt that you need a more hands-on approach to ensure wildlife habitats were securely protected to enact change quickly," the source added.

It's been claimed the brothers' fallout happened years before Harry met Meghan (PA)

In his memoir, Harry also revealed he was at odds with his brother’s approach, as he said it was inevitable that intervention had to be used to help animals and people co-exist. "Fences are increasingly having to be used to separate the two, and try to keep the peace," he wrote. "Once a fence is up, you are now managing a parcel of land. Different rules have to apply, whether we like it or not. Under these conditions human intervention in stabilising nature might be required by park managers."

Emma Wilson