Prince William has a new "inner circle" as Princess Kate's husband is leaning on his "replacement brothers", a royal commentator has claimed.
The Prince of Wales's younger brother, Prince Harry, moved to the US with his wife Meghan Markle in 2020.
Subsequently, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made several statements about the Prince and Princess of Wales, via Harry's memoir Spare, the couple's Netflix docuseries, and their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond explained who Prince William, 41, is relying on since his brother Prince Harry stepped back as a senior working royal.
She said: "When two people in a family fall out, it makes life very difficult not only for them but for the rest of the family too.
"Loyalties are tested and there is no easy answer.
"This is a time when William needs all the love and support he can get from his family.
"His brother is not, and will not, be here to help or provide a shoulder to cry on.
"And so I’m really glad that William has a cousin who is almost like a brother to him in Peter Phillips.
"Peter is incredibly down to earth, solid and has been there for both William and Harry in good and bad times.
"He formed a physical bridge between them when Harry came back for their grandfather’s funeral as he walked between the brothers - as if to keep the peace."
Bond continued to tell OK!: "It was good to see Peter supporting William at the recent Buckingham Palace garden party… along with William’s other 'replacement' brother, Mike Tindall.
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"I can imagine the three of them having a lot of fun together. This is William’s inner circle.
"People he can trust absolutely and who are showing that they are there for him when the going gets tough. I think it gave us a glimpse of the future for when William becomes King.
"He may not have his brother at his side, but he will have a band of loyal and close relatives to help him represent the monarchy.
"I’m sure that, whenever they can, they will step up to help William when the burden of Kingship finally falls on his shoulders."
