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Awkward footage of Harry completely ignoring William

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 21:  (L-R) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Zara Tindall, Mike Tindall, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge greet Queen Elizabeth II as she arrives for the Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel on April 21, 2019 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Harry and William appeared to completely avoid each other at their Easter church service. Photo: Getty

Much has been made of the fact that Harry avoided standing next to his brother and sister-in-law for the family’s Easter Sunday church service, but footage of the moment shows just how awkward the encounter truly was.

The video sees 34-year-old Harry arriving at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, with his cousins Peter and Autumn Phillips, before greeting a minister with a handshake outside the church doors.

Close on his heels is Prince William, but instead of turning around to greet his brother, Harry moves awkwardly to the side and appears to pointedly distance himself.

Head bowed and seemingly avoiding eye contact, he then shuffles to the back of the line, and lets cousins Zara and Mike Tindall slot inbetween himself and Wills.

The footage is awkward to say the least, and does very little to dispel rumours of a royal rift between the brothers. In fact, many royal observers are noting that it was a missed opportunity to put on a united front and squash the rumours for once and for all.

Although the icy Easter Sunday appearance could be nothing, many insiders speculate that the brothers missed a prime opportunity to squash feud rumours once and for all, and perhaps on purpose.

A source revealed to ET that William and Harry are simply at “different stages in their life,” however many believe the pair’s fallout to be much more complicated.

Rumours of tension growing between William and Harry first emerged when the Duke of Sussex’s relationship with his now-wife, Meghan Markle became very serious, very quickly.

WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 21: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attends the traditional Easter Sunday church service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on April 21, 2019 in Windsor, England. Easter Sunday this year coincides with Queen Elizabeth II's 93rd birthday. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Harry looked sombre and arrived with his cousins as Meghan is on maternity leave. Photo: Getty

According to insiders, Prince William cautioned his younger brother that “things were moving too quickly, leaving Harry angry and hurt.”

In 2018, royal biographer Robert Jobson revealed that the attention surrounding Harry and Meghan upset William, who is “extremely competitive” when it comes to media coverage and is known for being “a little grand.”

The popularity of the Sussex’s royal tours abroad, combined with their formal separation of households and record-breaking Instagram following is an unprecedented amount of attention for a royal couple sixth in line for the throne.

While many believe William is green-eyed with envy for his brother’s overwhelming popularity, many believe the true cause of the rift is due in part to Prince William’s closeness to Rose Hanbury.

In March, The Sun published a piece detailing a falling out between Kate and friend, Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholommondeleys.

According to the story, the Duchess of Cambridge ordered her husband to “phase out” Rose, whom she allegedly refers to as her “rural rival.”

WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 21: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attends the traditional Easter Sunday church service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on April 21, 2019 in Windsor, England. Easter Sunday this year coincides with Queen Elizabeth II's 93rd birthday. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

While that drama is still unfolding, the latest developments in the William and Harry rift are reports that the royal family is moving Harry, the Duchess of Sussex and their growing family to Africa.

The Sunday Times broke the news of the move abroad, with sources citing the real reason as an attempt by the Cambridge team to squash the growing popularity of the Sussexes.

The move to Africa is not only top choice to keep in line with the Sussexes Commonwealth endeavours, but is far from American and Australian news outlets.

A source has been quoted as saying, “People are telling William, ‘Don’t worry. Your influence will grow and Harry’s will fade… this is peak Harry.’”

A spokesperson for the royal family didn’t deny the reports, but released a statement noting, “Any future plans for The Duke and Duchess are speculative at this stage. No decisions have been taken about future roles. The Duke will continue to fulfill his role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador.”

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