Photos show how King Charles, Prince Harry, and Prince William's relationship has changed over time

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Photos show how King Charles, Prince Harry, and Prince William's relationship has changed over time
  • King Charles III's relationship with Princes William and Harry has been highly publicized.
  • After Harry's decision to step back from royal duties, there's been a reported distance between the trio.
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In 1985, King Charles III played with three-year-old Prince William and one-year-old Prince Harry at Kensington Palace. The cheeky photos showed Charles getting acclimated to fatherhood.

In 1985, King Charles III played with three-year-old Prince William and one-year-old Prince Harry at Kensington Palace. The cheeky photos showed Charles getting acclimated to fatherhood.
Charles places Harry on William's shoulders in Kensington Palace in 1985.Tim Graham/Getty Images

Two years later, Charles and Princess Diana joined their sons to celebrate Harry's first day of school in London. The quartet was all smiles despite brewing tensions between Charles and Diana, as reported in the National Geographic interview series, "Diana: In Her Own Words."

Two years later, Charles and Princess Diana joined their sons to celebrate Harry's first day of school in London. The quartet was all smiles despite brewing tensions between Charles and Diana, as reported in the National Geographic interview series, "Diana: In Her Own Words."
Harry waves to the cameras on his first day of school.Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
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The family celebrated V-J Day together in 1995. Harry, 11, can be seen smiling at his father while the royal family posed for photos, an indication of the close relationship they appeared to have.

The family celebrated V-J Day together in 1995. Harry, 11, can be seen smiling at his father while the royal family posed for photos, an indication of the close relationship they appeared to have.
The royal family of attends V-J Day commemorative events in August 1995.Tim Graham/Getty Images

Source: Insider

In August 1997, Diana died in a tragic car accident. William, 15, and Harry, 12, walked beside their father at her funeral. Harry opened up about mourning in front of the world, telling Newsweek in 2017 that he doesn't "think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances."

In August 1997, Diana died in a tragic car accident. William, 15, and Harry, 12, walked beside their father at her funeral. Harry opened up about mourning in front of the world, telling Newsweek in 2017 that he doesn't "think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances."
Prince Philip, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry, and Prince Charles follow the coffin of Princess Diana.Anwar Hussein/WireImage

Source: Newsweek

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The trio remained close for years after Diana's death. In 2000, Charles joined his sons on a skiing holiday in Switzerland. The ski resort, Klosters, was a regular vacation spot for the royal family despite a fatal avalanche that nearly killed Charles and took the life of Major Hugh Lindsay in 1988.

The trio remained close for years after Diana's death. In 2000, Charles joined his sons on a skiing holiday in Switzerland. The ski resort, Klosters, was a regular vacation spot for the royal family despite a fatal avalanche that nearly killed Charles and took the life of Major Hugh Lindsay in 1988.
King Charles joined his sons on a skiing holiday in the spring of 2000.Tim Graham/Getty Images

Source: Insider

Harry was by William's side at his wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011. Charles was also in attendance, sitting in the front row at the ceremony.

Harry was by William's side at his wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011. Charles was also in attendance, sitting in the front row at the ceremony.
Harry and Charles both attended William's wedding to Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011.Andrew Milligan/AFP via Getty Images
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Charles and William had roles at Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018. Charles walked his daughter-in-law down the aisle, while William served as Harry's best man.

Charles and William had roles at Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018. Charles walked his daughter-in-law down the aisle, while William served as Harry's best man.
Prince William, Prince Harry, King Charles III, and Meghan Markle at Harry and Meghan's wedding at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018.Jonathan Brady/Pool via AP

Source: Insider

Charles, William, and Harry were seen together less in 2019 as reports of a rift between the siblings began to circulate. At the premiere of the documentary series "Our World" in April that year, Charles stood between his sons as they posed for photos. William and Harry sat next to each other during the screening.

Charles, William, and Harry were seen together less in 2019 as reports of a rift between the siblings began to circulate. At the premiere of the documentary series "Our World" in April that year, Charles stood between his sons as they posed for photos. William and Harry sat next to each other during the screening.
William, Sir David Attenborough, Charles, and Harry at the "Our Planet" global premiere at the Natural History Museum in London on April 4, 2019.John Phillips/Getty Images

Source: Insider

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Harry attended his final royal engagement with William and Charles in March 2020. Two months prior, Harry and Meghan announced they were stepping down as senior royals.

Harry attended his final royal engagement with William and Charles in March 2020. Two months prior, Harry and Meghan announced they were stepping down as senior royals.
Harry, William, and Charles at their final royal engagement together at Westminster Abbey in March 2020.Phil Harris/Pool via AP Images

Prince Philip died a month after Harry and Meghan's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which Harry said his father stopped taking his calls shortly before his "step back." It was the first time Harry saw his brother and father since it aired, with a source telling Cosmopolitan that Harry and William's relationship was "extremely frosty."

Prince Philip died a month after Harry and Meghan's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which Harry said his father stopped taking his calls shortly before his "step back." It was the first time Harry saw his brother and father since it aired, with a source telling Cosmopolitan that Harry and William's relationship was "extremely frosty."
William, Harry, Charles, and other members of the royal family during Prince Philip's funeral on April 17, 2021.Mark Cuthbert-Pool/UK Press via Getty Images
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The trio reunited again after the death of Queen Elizabeth on September 8. Harry and Charles were spotted waiting for the Queen's coffin together, while Harry and William also took a walk with their wives to view the floral tributes. It remains unclear where the family's relationship stands.

The trio reunited again after the death of Queen Elizabeth on September 8. Harry and Charles were spotted waiting for the Queen's coffin together, while Harry and William also took a walk with their wives to view the floral tributes. It remains unclear where the family's relationship stands.
William, Harry, and Charles walk behind the Queen's casket in London on September 14, 2022.Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Source: Insider