Entertainment

40 Sweet Childhood Photos Of Prince Harry & Prince William

Updated: 
Originally Published: 

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Let's take a look back at simpler times, shall we? Like when Prince Harry and Prince William were enjoying their childhood moments together. A time when they sported matching outfits regularly and the Duke of Sussex stuck his tongue out at photographers whenever he pleased. Fortunately, considering their royalty status and all, there are plenty of photos from those years for us to browse through today.

Since they were kids, of course, Prince Harry and Prince William have grown up into men, husbands, and fathers. Prince William married his wife Kate Middleton in April 2011 and the two have since welcomed three children together. As for Prince Harry, he married former Suits actress Meghan Markle in May 2018 and one year later, in May 2019, they welcomed their first child together, a son named Archie.

More recently, Prince Harry and Meghan stepped back as senior members of the royal family, a move that shocked people across the globe. Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have remained busy with their own royal duties.

Before all of those historic moments, though, Prince Harry and Prince William were just kids who shared an adorable sibling bond. So let's take a look back at a few photos to highlight that simpler time.

Baby Prince Harry Riding On Prince William's Shoulders

It looks like baby Prince Harry might have been filling his diaper at the time, but at least Prince William is all smiles!

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Rocking On Horses Together

Back before Prince Harry and Prince William played in charity polo matches, they honed their skills together on wooden rocking horses.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Posing On Some Rocks With Their Dad

Rocking a kilt, Prince Charles spent some quality time with his sons, posing on some rocks, as one does.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Prince Harry Telling A Photographer How He Really Felt

Given the horrific coverage about his wife, he probably feels the same way about the British media today. But these days, he's learned to mostly smile and wave instead.

Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Just Sweet, Tiny Babies

Could these two boys be any cuter?

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Comfy As Could Be On Their Parents' Hips

And didn't have to fret about things like royal protocol, public image, or wiping their own bums.

Mondadori Portfolio/Mondadori Portfolio/Getty Images

Hitting The Slopes

Look how innocent and chill they were in their early '90s ski outfits.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Happily Playing On A Questionable-Looking Slide

Would Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis be allowed to play on that slide today? No. No, they wouldn't.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Their Parents Were Suckers For Matching Clothing

The chances of Prince Harry and Prince William showing up in public in matching outfits that aren't uniforms these days seem slim to none.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Playing In The Same Little Tikes Playhouse We All Did

Everyone had that house, right? (Royalty: They're just like us!)

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Smiley Brothers In A Carriage With Mum

Warm under a blanket, Prince Harry and Prince William took a fun little ride in a carriage with Princess Diana, who tragically passed away in 1997.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Too Young To Wear Trousers

These days, you won't catch the Duke of Cambridge or the Duke of Sussex out in public wearing shorts. But per the royal dress code, the young princes only wore shorts up to a certain age.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Mom Dropping Her Boys Off At School

And they totally rocked their school uniforms.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

The Brothers That Denim Together...

Oh, the simpler times when denim everything was the style.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Prince Harry Rocking A Pastel Coat

Perhaps Prince Harry is saving this striped, pastel parka for his son Archie?

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Stepping Out In The Rain In Matching Rain Boots

Peppa Pig would be proud.

Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Cousin Bonding Time

These days, a visit with their cousins Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie is a bit more formal that, and sadly, doesn't allow Prince Harry to rock a bandana on his head.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Matching From Head To Toe

Were Prince Harry and Prince William dressed alike all the time?

Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images

Little Posh Princes In Their Polos

Who hasn't sported a white Lacoste polo?

Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images

Prince Harry, Front & Center

Pink overalls and all, Prince Harry managed to grab the spotlight, despite his mom wearing some fierce gold flats.

Anwar Hussein/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Prince Harry Stealing The Spotlight

This cheeky little move from Prince Harry actually hasn't stopped now that he's an adult.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Piggyback Rides

"Sure, sweetie. I'd love to lug 30-40 pounds of royal prince around."

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

PJ Party With The Queen

Looks like Queen Elizabeth didn't get the dress code memo.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Looking Up At His Big Brother

Both literally and figuratively.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Prince William For The Win

Typical big brother move.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Embarking On Life's Next Chapter

And each could always count on his brother to help him through.

Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images

That Last Step's A Doozy

On their way to Scotland for their summer visit at Balmoral in 1986, Prince Harry was really getting ahead of himself.

Anwar Hussein/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Down In The River Dee

The two brothers got right into the River Dee, the river that runs by Balmoral, in 1987. Their dad Prince Charles was with them, don't worry.

Julian Parker/UK Press/Getty Images

Looking Awkward With Santa

This awkward chat between the two brothers and Father Christmas in Norfolk in 1990 is what precious old family photos are all about.

Martin Keene - PA Images/PA Images/Getty Images

Wet & Wild At Thorpe Park

Princess Diana was no mom on the sidelines when it came to having fun with her boys. The three of them looked to be having a grand old time during a visit to Thorpe Amusement Park in 1993.

Julian Parker/UK Press/Getty Images

Even The Queen Bows Down To These 2 Sweethearts

The 1989 Trooping The Colour saw Queen Elizabeth actually leaning in close to Princes William and Harry. I didn't even think she could lean, that's impressive.

John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images

Signing Up For Eton

Prince Harry looked like he was watching on sadly as his big brother signed up at Eton College, a live-in school, in 1995.

PA Images/PA Images/Getty Images

T-Shirts All Around

The whole family, including habitually chic Princess Diana, went for a bare legs and t-shirt look on Banana Beach in 1993.

PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images

They Grow Up So Fast

In 2000, Prince William was 18 years old and his little brother was 15, and they looked like men on a ski holiday to Switzerland with their dad Prince Charles.

Julian Parker/Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/Getty Images

Getting A Lift From Dad

Prince Charles took his two sons to visit the stables at Sandringham Estate, and gave Prince Harry a lift on the back of his bike.

Julian Parker/UK Press/Getty Images

A Day At The Circus

The two princes were wearing matching shirts during a visit to see Cirque du Soleil in 1990 with their mom.

Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Family Bike Trip

On a holiday in Tresco in the Scilly Islands in 1988, Princes William and Harry joined their parents for a little bike ride.

PA Images/PA Images/Getty Images

Of Course They Had Ponies

Prince Charles took Princes Harry and William out for a ride around Windsor Estate on their ponies in 1989.

Julian Parker/UK Press/Getty Images

Dad Looking Cool

At a 1989 polo match, Princes Harry and William look suddenly impressed with their dad Prince Charles. I think it's those boots.

Anwar Hussein/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Helping A Brother Out

It all started here, a proud big brother helping his little brother take his first step. No matter how big they get, this is Prince William and Prince Harry loving each other.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images
140