The ongoing rift between Prince Harry and Prince William keeps making headlines, and one comment from Harry about his brother’s kids has really stirred things up. In his memoir Spare and during interviews around its release, Harry opened up about his worries for Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, suggesting they might end up feeling like “spares” just like he did. Experts say this likely didn’t sit well with William and Kate at all.

The brothers’ relationship has been strained for years, with little to no communication these days. Things started shifting when Harry became an uncle to Prince George, but according to Harry, the dynamic changed dramatically over time.

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 5: Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and The Princess of Wales during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on December 5, 2025 in London, England. Led by The Princess and supported by The Royal Foundation, the annual event offered a chance to pause and reflect on the values of love, compassion, and the connections we share. The service also highlighted remarkable individuals from across the UK who have demonstrated extraordinary kindness, empathy, and support within their communities. (Photo Aaron Chown – Pool/Getty Images)

After meeting Meghan and stepping back from royal duties in 2020, tensions only grew. Harry didn’t hold back in his book, sharing candid thoughts about family members—including his niece and nephew. He argued that in the royal setup, the “spare” (the non-heir) often feels overshadowed by the heir, and he expressed real concern that history could repeat itself with William’s younger two children.

In a promotional interview with The Telegraph, Harry said:
“Though William and I have talked about it once or twice, and he has made it very clear to me that his kids are not my responsibility, I still feel a responsibility knowing that out of those three children, at least one will end up like me, the spare. And that hurts, that worries me.”

That kind of statement didn’t go unnoticed. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond spoke to OK! Magazine about it, pointing out that Harry seems to carry a lot of baggage from his own “spare” experience.
She said: “Harry has a huge chip on his shoulder about being a spare, we all know that now, but he doesn’t have to assume that William and Catherine’s children will feel the same as him.”

Bond went on to highlight positive examples from the royal family:
“Look at the Duke of Edinburgh and particularly look at the Princess Royal—they didn’t feel like the spares. They’ve gone out there and made it clear they don’t feel second-class in the least and worked hard regardless.”

She wrapped up by saying Charlotte and Louis have “huge privilege and a huge platform,” and there’s no reason they should feel like spares. “Just because Harry felt spare, doesn’t mean that his nephews and nieces will feel spare.”

Meanwhile, William and Kate have made it clear they’re taking a different approach with their family. They’re focused on giving their kids—Prince George (the heir), Charlotte, and Louis—a grounded, everyday upbringing despite their royal status.

A source once shared with The Mirror that life at their home is surprisingly ordinary: the children pitch in with chores like setting the table, clearing plates after meals, and tidying up—no one gets special treatment.

Back in 2016, William himself opened up in a BBC interview about keeping things normal:
“As far as we are concerned within our family unit, we are a normal family. I love my children in the same way any father does and I hope George loves me the same way any son does his father. We are very normal in that sense.”

HEREFORD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 15: Prince William, Prince of Wales visits a family run farm in Herefordshire as patron of “We Are Farming Minds” a Herefordshire based charity which is committed to supporting farmers and promoting good mental health among the farming community across the UK on January 15, 2026 in Hereford, England. The Prince of Wales visited Herefordshire to highlight the impact the pressures of farming can have on mental health. (Photo by Richard Pohle-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

It’s a reminder that while the royal world comes with unique pressures, William and Kate seem determined to raise well-rounded kids who feel equally valued—no matter their place in the line of succession.

What do you make of all this? Do you think Harry’s concerns are fair, or is the family handling things in a healthier way now? Drop your thoughts below!