The brothers used to tease each other through the press.

However, as Harry becomes more outspoken about private matters in the royal family, William becomes more reserved. William has not publicly responded to any of Harry’s allegations in recent years.

The question remains: what has William said?

Here is a breakdown of everything Prince William has said publicly about his brother, Harry, and a timeline of their royal rift over the last six years.

In 2016, William supported Harry with a rare public statement against the British press.

The royal brothers were known for being playful with one another in front of the press during their early years and into their 20s and 30s. Harry often teased William about his receding hairline. William would make jokes about Harry being smaller than him.

In 2017, William opened up about how his mother’s death impacted him and how he and his brother grieved separately.

The following year, William offered perhaps the most intimate glimpse into his private life that he ever had and ever would. The comments came via interviews for a BBC documentary about his mother, Princess Diana. The interview provided insight into William’s grieving process after Diana’s death and his perspective on his role as a royal family member.

In the documentary, William acknowledged the uncanny experience of grieving his mother’s loss at a pivotal age while under a bright spotlight.

He also referenced the controversial moment when he and his brother Harry had to walk behind their mother’s coffin in the official funeral procession. In the documentary, William and Harry agree that they do not want to do it at the time. William acknowledged their unique role as royal members and cited an ‘element of duty and responsibility’ requiring them to do things they may not want. He also mentioned how his mother’s death impacted his perspective on how he and his brother should behave as adults.

Harry and Markle got married in 2018. During this time, William and Harry displayed warmth towards each other for the last time.

William made several lighthearted comments to the press about his role as the best man at Harry’s wedding.

In January that year, William admitted that his brother had not yet asked him to be the best man. 

Later that year, the two brothers confirmed William’s role as the best man. Harry joked that he got down on one knee to propose to William. William responded with a joke, saying, ‘It feels great, a real delight…revenge is sweet,’ about Harry serving as best man for his wedding in 2011.

By 2019, rumors about Harry and Markle’s relationship with the royal family and the British press began circulating. Harry was asked about his relationship with his brother during the ITV documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey. Harry did not brush off the question and seemed to confirm the rumors of a rift.

In 2020, Harry and Markle cut most of their ties with the royal family and relocated to California.

The joint statement followed a tabloid report that Harry and Markle were driven away from the royal family, partly due to William’s direct ‘bullying.’

William did not make any further public statements. Despite increasingly public and hostile allegations by Harry and Markle, some about the royal family and some about him, he has remained quiet over the years.

However, in 2020, William allegedly commented to a friend that their relationship may be fractured beyond repair.

Prince William reportedly expressed sadness about no longer being able to put his arm around his brother, stating that they are now separate entities.   He hopes to support his brother and Markle and looks forward to when they can all work together as a team.