Why William and Charles' relationship will be closer than ever in Harry's absence

Prince William and Prince Charles had a tense relationship for years, but in recent months the royal father and son have appeared to grow closer than ever.

But royal watchers are wondering if their new bond is a result of Prince Harry's absence, as Charles' second son prepares to leave the monarchy behind and seek out a life apart from the royals.

Royal commentator Katie Nicholl reveals that Charles and William's relationship seems much more friendly lately, something many royal experts have picked up on at recent joint engagements.

"It's no secret there have been difficulties in their relationship in the past, but they do seem to be closer than ever and seem very comfortable in each other's company," she tells 9Honey.

"I think William's been quite vocal about his father's work, his pride in his father, he's publicly spoken about what Prince Charles has done with the Prince's Trust and his charity work. So, I think what you're seeing is that respect and admiration William has for his father reflected in a warmer rapport between them and a closeness between them that hasn't always been evident."

She pointed to their sweet father-son moment at a joint engagement earlier this month as evidence of the new closeness between Charles and William.

While meeting patients at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC), William tried his hand at wheelchair basketball and struggled to score, until Charles stepped in to push his wheelchair closer.

When William missed the shot again, Charles playfully patted his shoulders in a rare show of affection between the two princes.

But many believe that it's no coincidence that William and his father are growing closer while Harry is distancing himself from the royal family, ahead of his and Meghan Markle's official exit on 31 March.

The couple announced their plans in early January, reportedly blindsiding senior royals like Charles, who didn't know the Sussexes were going to be announcing their exit so suddenly.

"The rumours are Charles' relationship with Harry isn't great at the moment, that Harry didn't feel fully supported by his father and he made plans for his own future independently of the royal family," Nicholl explains.

"But I don't think that William's relationship with Charles is closer because of that."

Nicholl believes that Charles' closeness with William is a result of their similar royal roles, rather than a reaction to Harry's upcoming departure.

"I think there is an understanding between Charles and William that they are both heirs, that they have a sense of duty and responsibility and for many years that William resented that sense of duty, he saw it as a burden," she says.

"Since getting married, since becoming a father himself, since having that stability in his life, it's something that he's embraced. And I think that connected him with his father. Given the drama, the changes in recent months, I think it probably has brought William and Charles together, they have to stick together.

"Heir and Heir-apparent, they are both future Kings and the future of the monarchy depends on them and their success, so they need to be united. And we're very much seeing a united front."

Both William and Charles have voiced nothing but support for Harry in his new life away from the monarchy, but as the first and second in line to the throne, they both have heavy loads to carry in his absence.

It only makes sense that the father and son will therefore be leaning more on each other in the years to come, especially when Charles eventually takes the throne an becomes our king.