Wistful royal fans say they miss seeing Princes William and Harry together, after a 2015 DIY SOS special starring the two brothers aired last night.
In the episode, the royals took part in a project to turn derelict streets into homes for ex-service personnel.
The grinning brothers donned personalised hard hats and steel-toe boots as they lent a hand to the ambitious renovations on two streets in Newton Heath, Manchester in 2015.
Their joyful demeanor and appearance in the episode triggered a wave of nostalgia among royal fans, who flocked to social media to bemoan the current state of the brother’s relationship in comparison.
Then, William and Harry traded jokes and tried to one-up each other in the spirit of brotherly competition, appearing close and comfortable in each other’s company.
William even talked about the importance of brotherhood and family during his appearance on the show.
Now, however, their relationship appears frostier, with constant rumours of a rift and Prince Harry, along with wife Meghan Markle, sensationally quitting the royal family to move to LA.
The brothers looked happy and relaxed in each other’s company as they appeared on the DIY SOS special from 2015
The beaming brothers hug presenter Nick Knowles at the end of the episode, which aired again last night
It’s a far cry from recent photos of the two together, including this one of them attending the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London with their wives on March 11, 2019
Here they are pictured at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, London on Commonwealth Day in March 2020. The service was the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s final official engagement before they quit royal life
Harry in particular looked carefree and relaxed as he interacted with builders on the show
After the DIY SOS special aired, several viewers shared their sadness at the breakdown in the relationship between William and Harry.
One watcher commented: ‘Just watching the DIY SOS with William and Harry. Hope one day they get back to being mates.’
While another said: ‘Ahhh miss seeing William and Harry together.’
A third said: ‘Great to see Harry and William there, shame Harry has left now in all honesty.’
Reports of a rift have dogged the brothers in recent years, with insiders claiming Harry was incensed when William warned him he was ‘moving too fast’ with Meghan in the early days of their relationship.
Speaking in an ITV documentary on his and Meghan’s trip to Africa last year, Harry refused to deny the rumours, admitting that he and William are travelling on ‘different paths’.
Saddened royal fans have compared the brother’s relationship in the episode to now
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are now living in Los Angeles with their son, Archie, who will turn one on Wednesday
The brothers briefly reunited in March for the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, one of Harry’s final royal engagements before leaving for North America.
Royal watchers brand their interaction ‘frosty’ at the event.
Royal photographer Jayne Fincher said their mother Princess Diana would be ‘doing everything to be the peacemaker’ and mend their relationship and would have been devastated at the current state of it.
Jayne said: ‘She’d be shaking the boy’s heads together saying, “For goodness sake. What’s going on here?” and I think she’d be trying to make peace between the girls, too.’
She added that Prince Charles was also likely upset by his sons’ relationship, saying: ‘Charles must be broken-hearted because he’s extremely close to those boys….That must be very devastating for him.’
It comes as sources claimed Prince Harry feels he would have been ‘better protected’ from the turmoil he has faced in recent months if he was still in the Army.
The Duke of Sussex reportedly told friends he ‘cannot believe’ how his life has been ‘turned upside down’.
He is said to miss the ‘camaraderie’ of life in the forces. Harry was stripped of his military appointments when he and Meghan stepped back as senior royals on March 31.
He had to give up roles including Captain General of the Royal Marines and Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington.
Harry – affectionately known as Captain Wales in the forces – retains the rank of major and insisted he would ‘continue his unwavering support to the military community in a non-official capacity’.
The couple are now living in Los Angeles with their son, Archie, who will turn one on Wednesday.