Prince William and Prince Harry are being dragged by critics who say the estranged brothers somehow turned Father’s Day into another royal popularity contest.

What should have been a sweet family holiday quickly became another reminder of the bitter split between the once-close princes, as both men were celebrated in separate social media posts released thousands of miles apart on Sunday, June 21.

William, who also turned 44 on Father’s Day, was honored by Princess Catherine and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Across the Atlantic, Meghan Markle posted her own glowing tribute to Harry, 41, praising him as a devoted father to their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

But instead of warming hearts, the dueling tributes sparked fresh chatter about the royal family’s deep divide.

One royal insider told RadarOnline.com that the posts were quickly viewed as another public reminder of just how far apart William and Harry have become.

“What should have been a simple celebration of fatherhood quickly became another reminder of how divided the family remains,” the source said. “Every photograph, caption and public gesture is now viewed through the lens of the rift between William and Harry.”

Another insider said many royal watchers are simply exhausted by the never-ending drama.

“There is a growing sense of fatigue around it all,” the source said. “People see two brothers who once appeared inseparable and wonder how things reached the point where even Father’s Day becomes part of a public comparison. Critics are branding it a pathetic war of images rather than celebrations of private family occasions.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales marked William’s birthday and Father’s Day with a photo taken in the gardens of Kensington Palace after Trooping the Colour.

The image showed William wearing his ceremonial military uniform as he embraced Princess Charlotte, 11.

The caption, signed by Catherine and the couple’s children, read: “Happy birthday and Father’s Day to the best Papa in the World! We love you very much.”

The post carried extra meaning because Father’s Day fell on William’s birthday this year.

The Wales family had just appeared at Trooping the Colour, where anti-monarchy protesters could reportedly be heard booing members of the royal family during the public event.

Meanwhile, Meghan shared her own Father’s Day tribute to Harry from California.

Her photo showed the Duke of Sussex kneeling down as he hugged Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5. The children’s faces were not shown.

Meghan wrote: “They’re so lucky to have you. We all are. Happy Father’s Day to our one and only.”

Royal commentators quickly pointed out the sharp contrast between the two posts.

William’s tribute leaned into tradition, duty and his place at the heart of the monarchy. Harry’s post, meanwhile, focused on his new life as a father in California, far from palace rules and royal obligations.

A source said both posts may have been innocent family messages, but nothing involving William and Harry stays simple anymore.

“Both posts were clearly intended as loving family tributes,” the insider said. “But because of the history between the brothers, they inevitably invited comparison. That is the reality whenever William and Harry appear in the public eye.”

The brothers’ feud has been one of the royal family’s most painful public sagas since Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties and moved to the United States.

Once seen as an inseparable pair bonded by the death of their mother, Princess Diana, William and Harry now appear to be living completely separate lives.

The Royal Family’s official X account also marked Father’s Day by posting a photo of King Charles with his late father, Prince Philip, taken in 1971.

The caption read: “Celebrating all Fathers, and thinking of those who wish they could be with their Dads, today.”

A separate post showed King Charles with William and wished the Prince of Wales a happy birthday.

But despite the official royal messages, the day was once again overshadowed by the icy distance between the two brothers.

For critics, the separate Father’s Day tributes only drove home what many already believe: even the most personal family moments have become public battlegrounds in the William and Harry war.