Prince Harry often found himself in the shadow of his older brother, Prince William. This was especially true as the sun set over Balmoral Castle. A series of events began that would shape Prince Harry's future.

The whole British monarchy and the world waited for Queen Elizabeth II's passing. But Prince Harry, who was far away, didn't make it to her side in time.

As the hours passed, emotions soared and tensions within the royal family reached a boiling point. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were on a tour in Europe. King Charles told Harry not to bring Meghan to Balmoral, causing a big upset.

Learning of the Queen's death online made things even harder for Harry. This event was not just a personal loss but also widened the gap in the royal family.

The Sussexes had already made a big change in March 2020 by stepping down as working royals. They moved to the United States. The queen's death brought even more tension, showing the challenges faced by Prince Harry as the 'spare' heir.

The absence of Prince Harry at Queen Elizabeth II's bedside during her final moments serves as a stark symbol of the growing tensions within the British royal family. This estrangement, rooted in complex personal and institutional conflicts, has been deepened by several events over the years, particularly the Sussexes' departure from royal duties.

In March 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, officially stepped down from their roles as senior members of the royal family. This departure, often referred to as "Megxit," marked a profound shift in the British monarchy's dynamic. It was a move that reflected not only their desire for independence but also signified a break from royal tradition and expectations. For the royal institution, it was a public acknowledgment of the challenges of balancing personal freedom with royal duties, especially as media scrutiny continued to weigh heavily on the Sussexes.

One particularly poignant moment of tension arose during Queen Elizabeth II's final days. King Charles III reportedly directed that Meghan Markle not be present at Balmoral, where the Queen was being cared for. This decision, whether driven by personal or institutional motives, only served to highlight the existing familial discord.

The exclusion of Meghan from the Queen's bedside was symbolic of the deeper divides within the family, particularly between Harry and the rest of the royal institution.

Perhaps the most emotionally charged detail of this strained relationship was how Prince Harry learned of his grandmother's passing. It was reported that he was informed of Queen Elizabeth II's death not through family communication, but via the internet. This underscores the poignant reality of Prince Harry's current standing in the royal family-estranged from the inner circle that once defined his life, and learning of monumental family events in the same way as the general public. Such a moment symbolizes the emotional and physical distance that has grown between Harry and the monarchy.