Prince William & Prince Harry's Rivalry May Hinge on the Global Success of This Project

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Prince William and Prince Harry's rift seems to show no signs of slowing down. Their lives have gone in vastly different directions, and fans might think that would bring them together because they aren't competing in the same royal space — but it's actually split them apart. 

Now, royal insiders are admitting what many people have speculated behind the scenes: the Prince of Wales is reportedly jealous of his younger brother's "freedoms," per an Us Weekly source. Ever since the Duke of Sussex's exit from his role at the palace, he's been able to explore his avenues of interest freely — some have been hits, and some have been misses. But there's one passion project that has risen to the top: the Invictus Games. 

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"Harry has done remarkable things," Ed Owens, royal author of After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself?, explained to the media outlet. "[The Invictus Games] now has international presences, and I think that international stage is something both brothers are clearly vying for. That international limelight really sets Harry's work apart from other members of the royal family." William cannot escape the headlines about his brother's work as the British government is trying to woo the 2027 games to Birmingham and Nigerian officials are welcoming Harry and Meghan Markle to their country this month for future partnership opportunities.

British journalist Robert Jobson confirmed this awkward issue between them because Prince William's Earthshot Prize hasn't had the same enthusiastic reception as Harry's Invictus Games. "I think there was a degree of jealousy about how well it had gone," Jobson shared in the ABC News special, Prince Harry's Mission: Life, Family and Invictus Games. "I do think that William was surprised how much this had been such a success and how much money was being thrown into it and how many governments were getting involved." 

Even the Duke of Sussex addressed the rivalry between them in his memoir, Spare, while noting to Good Morning America, "There has always been this competition between us, weirdly. I think it really plays into or always played by the 'heir/spare.'" Now, Harry has moved on as he plants roots in the U.S., but it's reported that he will have very little or no support from the royal family when he celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games on May 8. It would be a shame if no one showed up, especially since this is Prince Harry's greatest professional triumph.

Before you go, click here to see the best photos of Princess Diana playing with William and Harry.

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