For royal watchers, this year has been all about the new generation of royals. We've watched as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have expanded their family and continued to grow in their very important roles as the future of the monarchy. We've also seen Prince Harry come into his own following his wedding with Meghan Markle, as the newlyweds perform royal duties under their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Fans of the royal family have absolutely loved watching William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan all mingle together. William and Harry have a special place in all our hearts, as we have watched them grow into the men they are today. They're so often seen as a team that new reports that the two will be settling into their own separate lives are a little bittersweet.
The Sunday Times' royal correspondent reports that the princes "are considering a formal division of their joint royal household, which is based at Kensington Palace, and the creation of separate courts to reflect their increasingly different responsibilities." The separation of courts is expected to happen after Meghan gives birth.
A source close to the brothers also divulged: "The brothers have leant on each other and looked after each other since their mother died. But now they have their own families, they no longer rely on each other as before."
Of course, neither of the princes are wrong for focusing on their own families and individual roles as royals. But we admit that we hope to continue seeing the brotherly love and camaraderie between them, even as they shift focus for the next stage of their lives.
It's been a whirlwind year for the grandsons of Queen Elizabeth II, as their lives continue to change.
Prince William celebrated his 36th birthday this year. He also welcomed his third child, Prince Louis, with wife Kate Middleton.
William and Kate, who have been married for seven years, are very active in their royal duties. They are watched more closely, as they will one day be the king and queen of the United Kingdom.
Their kids — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — will grow up in the spotlight, too. The children are third, fourth, and fifth in line to the throne, respectively.
On the other hand, we have Prince Harry, who has always been known to march to the beat of his own drum.
Prince Harry celebrated his marriage to Meghan Markle in front of the world earlier this year.
He has since stepped into his own royal duties as the Duke of Sussex alongside Meghan, who has been adapting to life as a duchess.
The couple, who is known to be very down to earth and interested in philanthropic ventures, recently announced they're expecting their first child together.
Prince Harry has spoken before about his dedication to leading a normal life and how that's also what he wants for his children.
In an interview with Newsweek last year, Prince Harry said:
“My mother took a huge part in showing me an ordinary life, including taking me and my brother to see homeless people. Thank goodness I’m not completely cut off from reality. People would be amazed by the ordinary life William and I live. I do my own shopping. Sometimes, when I come away from the meat counter in my local supermarket, I worry someone will snap me with their phone. But I am determined to have a relatively normal life, and if I am lucky enough to have children, they can have one too.”
Prince Harry and Prince William have an incredibly close bond, one that's continued into adulthood.
Despite recent reports that the two are splitting Kensington Palace as their families grow and their paths as far as royal duties diverge, there's no doubt that the two will remain as close as ever in their private lives.
The brothers have very different destinies. While Harry and Meghan can enjoy some semblance of normalcy because they are farther away from the throne, William and Kate's life focuses around preparing for when that day of ascension inevitably comes.
As bittersweet as this might be for royal watchers, there is something to look forward to: watching William's and Harry's kids and the beautiful bond the cousins are sure to have as they grow!
