Why Harry is distancing himself from William

Now that they both have their own families, things are about to change for the brothers. Photo / Getty Images

While Meghan Markle's pregnancy is an exciting new chapter for the royal family, it also signals the beginning of a big change in Prince Harry and Prince William's relationship.

Multiple media outlets in the United Kingdom are reporting that the brothers, who have been extremely close since their mother Princess Diana's death, are in the process of establishing separate "courts" in preparation for their different roles in the future.

Up until now, William and Harry (and by extension their wives and children) have shared the same media team, secretaries and support staff.

But with Meghan pregnant and William a father to three kids of his own, the princes are now looking to establish separate offices.

"The brothers have leant on each other and looked after each other since their mother died. But now they have their own families, they no longer rely on each other as before," a source told The Sunday Times.

Harry and Meghan's royal tour has been a huge success. Photo / Getty Images

When Charles becomes king and William becomes the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's roles will shift towards more formal duties.

In contrast Harry will continue to be free to pursue philanthropic work of his own choice, such as his role with the Invictus Games.

A source told the Daily Mail: "There is a gulf in the style and approach to the work that William and Kate will increasingly do as future head of state and consort."

Plans for an eventual division are believed to have began back in 2013 when their first joint private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton retired, the Daily Mail reports.