PRINCE Harry has “built his own tribe” across the pond to provide “emotional support”, following falling out with his family, claims an expert.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, jetted away on a “lads holiday” for his recent milestone birthday and the guest list included people from his inner circle.
One person who was not thought to have been invited was his brother William– as he and Harry have not spoken for more than two years.
Harry’s wife Meghan and children Archie and Lilibet reportedly stayed at home while he headed off with his mates.
It was reported that the band of brothers could have included Harry’s polo BFF Nacho Figueras, his “second dad” Mark Dyer and “party animal” pal Tom ‘Skippy’ Inskip.
And some reports say Prince Harry counts former royal protection officer David Langdown – who has been with him for years – as his “best friend”.
And after retiring from the public sector he still works for the Duke, and is paid thousands of pounds a day.
Second family
Behavioural expert Darren Stanton revealed that it makes sense why the Duke of Sussex has worked on creating a second family across the pond.
Speaking on behalf of Slingo, he claimed to Fabulous: “When people feel isolated, they create their own tribes around them.
“When it comes to Prince Harry, it’s clear he’s built his own tribe in America.
“Obviously people like to have infrastructure and support when it comes to their close relationships.
“It’s a basic need, as well to interact with other people.
“For whatever circumstances, some people are forced to live away from their family.
“But in the same token, people need support and love around them, therefore creating their own sense of community.”
Darren said that he’s sure that Prince Harry’s new group are “not yes men” but provide “that infrastructure and support that he left in the UK.”
He added: “As a human being, no matter if a person believes they can survive on their own, we all need some degree of emotional support.
“Whether that’s supplied by family, a partner or friends, it’s a very important aspect of physiological well being and being able to rely on the people closest to you.
“Harry hasn’t got his immediate family around him and needs that support, which is why he’s forged such a relationship with Meghan and friendship with his inner circle of friends in America.”
Harry’s 40th plans
The prince marked his 40th birthday on Sunday with family and friends at his £12million mansion in California.
In what appeared to be a brief end to hostilities, the Duke of Sussex’s special day was marked on the Royal Family‘s social media alongside a photo of him beaming.
On X, the note and picture was shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales account with the message: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex.”
Tellingly, it did not include their personal “W & C” sign-off — but
the two messages were The Firm’s first nod to Duke of Sussex
Harry’s birthday in two years.
The photo picked was taken in Dublin back in 2018, when Harry – donning a grey suit and white shirt – was still a working royal.
A timeline of Prince Harry's family feud
The first hints of friction reportedly came after William was introduced to Meghan when she was staying at Kensington Palace.
Once she’d returned home to Canada, William and Harry sat down for a brother-to-brother chat.
He knew Harry was already head-over-heels for her but it has been claimed he advised him to take it slowly.
The younger prince reportedly didn’t take too kindly to the advice, with one royal source saying he “went mental”.
Then in June 2019 Harry and Meghan officially split off from the charity they shared with William and Kate.
The Royal Foundation will be divided between the Sussexes and Cambridges as the couples focus on their own separate charitable endeavours.
Prince William and Prince Harry first established the Royal Foundation in 2009 before Kate joined two years later shortly after their engagement was announced.
The trio would often appear together at events and the Foundation had huge successes with projects like the Invictus Games for injured veterans and the mental health Heads Together campaign.
The Royal Foundation said the decision was made following the conclusion of a review into its structure – but added both couples will continue to work together in the future.
Harry and Meg were living in close proximity to Kate and Wills within the Kensington Palace estate, but they switched to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor before baby Archie was born.
The move further increased rumours of a fallout.
Harry also hinted in his ITV documentary “Harry and Meghan, An African Journey” that he and his brother had grown apart.
In 2021, Harry and Meghan give their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey where Harry accused his dad of cutting him off financially.
Harry then jetted back to UK to join William in unveiling a statue to their mother Princess Diana in the grounds of Kensington Palace. But sources claimed William didn’t want to attend the memorial amid their ongoing rift.
In 2022, just before their grandmother the Queen died, sources claimed Kate acts as a “peacemaker” between the brothers.
Harry claimed his brother “knocked him to the floor” during an argument about Meghan, in his memoir.
In Spare, Harry said William branded Meghan “rude” and “difficult” during a row.
Harry alleged William “grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and … knocked me to the floor”.
He said he was left with a visible injury to his back following the argument in 2019 at Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of Kensington Palace, where he was living at the time.
In January this year, Harry flew in to be with Charles after the monarch’s shock cancer diagnosis.
Harry flew back to the US the following day – without seeing Wills.
In May he visited the UK for a three-day visit without seeing King Charles or Prince William.