The ongoing feud between Prince William and Prince Harry is under fresh scrutiny, with a particular photograph being pinpointed as the moment when the strain between the sons of King Charles began to surface.

Richard Eden, the Royal expert for the Daily Mail, suggests that the rift between William and his wife Princess Kate, and Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, was evident as far back as November 2018 – two years prior to the announcement of Megxit, which saw the Sussexes relinquish their senior Royal roles and relocate to America.

Eden draws attention to a picture taken after a service commemorating the centenary of WW1 armistice at Westminster Abbey in that year, where he notes the seemingly “tense” countenances of William and Kate.

Identifying the couple’s tight jaws in the image, Eden links their demeanour to a “lack of warmth” towards the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

He elaborated on the Reading The Royals YouTube series by the publication: “This photograph is of them leaving Westminster Abbey after a service to mark Armistice Day, and at the time, we might have thought their seriousness was because of the nature of the event – that they would always look very sombre.”

“But, actually, there was a lot going on behind-the-scenes.

“There was a reminder at this event of the order of things for Harry and Meghan, because they were seated on the second row behind William and Catherine, who were on the front row with Queen Elizabeth, and with Charles and Camilla.”

The Royal commentator remarked: “I haven’t noticed this before, but look at their jaws in this photograph, my goodness, they look tense.

“It’s far from a portrait of a relaxed family together, and this lack of warmth between them came after reports began to emerge that the two courts of William and Catherine, and Harry and Meghan would be splitting.”

Eden noted that this was a significant story at the time, as everything the Royal couples had done up to that point were joint efforts, including their Royal Foundation and their offices.

He added: “These reports suggested that all wasn’t well, and it would later be confirmed that they were going to separate, and it was the first sign of the formal separation between the two households.”