Photos show just how divided the royal family has become

Talia LakritzMar 19, 2024, 20:32 IST

Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle on a walk at Windsor Castle in September 2022.Kirsty O'Connor - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The royal family has been in turmoil for years now.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal life in 2020, sparking ongoing tensions.

From Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's departure from their royal duties to the deaths of Prince Phillip and Queen Elizabeth to Kate Middleton's photo-editing scandal, the royal family has been in turmoil for years.

Popularity is essential to the survival of the monarchy. With taxpayers shelling out around £300 million, or about $381 million, to sustain the institution each year, nonstop royal scandals — as well as King Charles III's cancer diagnosis — have left the monarchy more vulnerable than ever.

A photo recap of the last four years of royal life shows how divisions in the royal family have grown.

Tensions appeared high at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's final royal engagement in March 2020, where they didn't interact with Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Prince William and Kate Middleton chat with Prince Edward and Sophie as Prince Harry and Meghan sit behind them at Westminster Abbey as they attend the Commonwealth Service in London in March 2020.PHIL HARRIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

In March 2021, Harry and Meghan dropped bombshell after bombshell in a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.Joe Pugliese/Harpo Productions

William and Harry didn't walk side-by-side at Prince Phillip's funeral in April 2021, which the palace said was a "practical change."

April 2021.WPA Pool / Pool / Getty Images

At Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022, Harry and Meghan were seated far away from other royal family members.

Members of the royal family attend the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral on day two of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II in June 2022.Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images

After Queen Elizabeth's death in September 2022, the former "Fab Four" made a rare joint appearance ahead of her funeral.

Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle on a walk at Windsor Castle in September 2022.Kirsty O'Connor - WPA Pool/Getty Images

At Queen Elizabeth's funeral, Harry reportedly wasn't permitted to wear his military uniform, creating a stark contrast with his other family members.

Prince Harry stands next to King Charles, Princess Anne, and Prince William as they salute during the state funeral and burial of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022.Hannah McKay - WPA Pool/Getty Images

In December 2022, the Netflix docuseries "Harry & Meghan" shared new details of their tumultuous royal life.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in the second promo for their docuseries, "Harry & Meghan."Netflix

A month later, Harry's explosive tell-all memoir, "Spare," hit shelves worldwide.

Prince Harry's memoir on sale in January 2023.Matthew Chattle/Future Publishing via Getty Images

At Charles' coronation in May 2023, Harry was seated two rows behind Kate with Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank.

Royal family members and guests at the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images

After Kate's extended absence from public life while recovering from surgery, an altered Mother's Day photo exposed cracks in her and William's once-united front.

Stories in Britain's national newspapers,about the altered Mother's Day photo released by Kensington Palace in March 2024.PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

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