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The royal family is surely feeling unsettled after a major announcement that was just made public only two hours ago. Prince Harry is set to visit New York City next month in September for several engagements surrounding his charitable work. However, the timing of this trip coincides with another high-profile environmental event being hosted by Prince William in the same city. It seems we may be witnessing the beginning of what folks are calling the "Battle of the Brothers" as both princes will find themselves in New York at the same time, pursuing similar causes. Let's take a closer look at what's been revealed so far about Harry and William's trips and what this means for their ongoing family tensions.
Prince Harry's office announced on August 27th that he will be in New York during the United Nations General Assembly high-level week to promote issues relating to climate change. While in the city, Harry will participate in activities supporting several organizations he holds patronages with, including African Parks, the Halo Trust, the Diana Award, and Travelist. He will also be furthering the work of Archewell, the nonprofit he co-founded with his wife Meghan. Quite impressive that one man will be juggling engagements for four separate causes all within a short time frame - it seems Harry aims to put in maximum work.
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Interestingly, Prince William will also be in New York around the same time for the third annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit hosted by his sustainable development organization. The Earthshot Prize, launched in 2020, awards grants to projects working on environmental solutions. Its summit will take place on September 24th at the iconic Plaza Hotel. While William's attendance hasn't been 100% confirmed yet, he did participate in last year's event so it's expected he wouldn't miss it this year.
The coinciding timing of both royal brothers' trips to the same city in September cannot be ignored. All signs point to this shaping up as a showdown of sorts between the two most high-profile environmentalists in the royal family. And we know from past reports that there is definitely no love lost between William and Harry these days. Some experts believe William grew angry with Harry and Meghan for asserting their independence from the family and moving abroad. Tensions were heightened further after claims of bullying against Meghan and bombshell interviews where the couple aired grievances about royal life.
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Now with both princes promoting eco-friendly agendas in New York simultaneously, some see this as a competition for recognition on the global stage. Climate change has long been a passion of William's, so he surely won't appreciate Harry's involvement in related panels and events. After all, in the past King Charles reportedly resented the limelight William received for his philanthropic work, wanting the attention for himself. One can only imagine William's irritation at sharing the environmental advocacy space with his estranged brother.
Of course, there's also the undeniable elephant in the room - the ongoing bad blood between the brothers due to Harry stepping back as a senior royal. Being in such close proximity again could bring up raw emotions, even if they conduct their trips separately. Many are wondering if the Princes might actually cross paths in New York. A reunion seems unlikely, but rumors will surely fly about chance encounters. Additionally, Meghan is notably absent from joining Harry this trip, though she attended his past few international visits. Time will tell if any further clues emerge about the state of the Sussexes' relationship with the royal family.
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Much intrigue also surrounds how Harry and Meghan's philanthropic ventures compare to the initiatives of other Windsors. The couple's nonprofit Archewell has shown great success since its founding, including Meghan's highly popular community cookbook that has raised over $1.2 million for UK charities so far. Their global popularity and modern approach to aid work presents an implicit challenge to more traditional royal foundations. While the royals may dismiss Harry and Meghan's projects as celebrity-driven, the numbers don't lie - Archewell is clearly making a big financial impact. This outcome fuels existing royal perceptions that the couple threatens their primacy and relevance.
All in all, Prince Harry's trip to New York lining up with William's pre-existing plans provides perfect tinder for further rivalry between the brothers. Neither man will likely cede the environmental spotlight, with both having much to prove on their competing global stages. With tensions already high, their first joint appearance on opposite sides of the pond is poised to be an interesting showdown. Both families and fans will watch closely online and from afar, hoping to glean signs of where the troubled relationship stands now between the once close siblings turned competitors. This month's events across the pond may determine if the brothers are ready to bury the hatchet, or if the "Battle of the Brothers" is just getting started.
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