The last time the British fought on US soil it ended in a bloody defeat for the crown.
But following the arrival in the US of Prince William this week, there was a very different war – the enemy was the future king’s very own brother.
For with the Prince and Princess of Wales’ three-day trip to Boston, Americans were given a brief respite from the battle of Republicans vs Democrats or Kim vs Kanye.
On one hand were the Cambridges, the glamorous, suited and booted couple on an engagement-packed trip, culminating in the Earthshot Prize.
On the other, The Sussexes, the millennial west coasters, who released the trailer for their candid, touchy-feely Netflix reality show, the very same week.
Prince Harry and Meghan will now be arriving in New York on Tuesday, a mere 72 hours after William and Kate flew out of Boston today – neither of the once-inseparable brothers having opted to make plans to meet.
For the Americans watching the royal saga play out, it’s become the latest divisive issue. There is no such thing as sitting on the fence in the States.
Much like the toxic world of American politics, royal watchers will tell you a side needs to be taken: You’re either Team Cambridge or Team Sussex.
No one, it seems, is immune.
Even the closest thing the US has to royalty, the Kennedys, have been divided in a fight billed as “a battle of the philanthropic galas”.
In one corner was President John F. Kennedy’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, 29, who teamed up with the Prince and Princess of Wales to honour his grandfather’s legacy with five recipients of the Earthshot Prize at the JFK Library Foundation last night.
In the other was Robert F. Kennedy’s daughter, Kerry, who is set to honour Harry and Meghan with the Ripple of Hope Award in New York, which she sensationally claimed was being given in a nod to the Sussexes challenging the Royal Family’s power structure.
In an interview, the 63-year-old raised anxieties further by saying of the couple: “They went to the oldest institution in UK history and told them what they were doing wrong, that they couldn’t have structural racism within the institution.”
New Yorker and royal watcher Dee Ashcroft, 47, is firmly in the Team Cambridge camp.
The real estate broker initially “adored” Meghan’s arrival into the royal fold but was left “angered and embarrassed” by her and Harry’s actions.
She said: “The Sussexes’ first mistake was disrespecting the Queen, who was and still is deeply loved in the States. The second was the Oprah interview.”
The split seems to be generational, with millennials leaning towards Harry and Meghan.
Their well-publicised stand against racism in royal circles made it even more poignant that – through no fault of their own – Kate and Wills’ arrival in Boston was overshadowed by the race row involving comments from William’s Godmother Lady Susan Hussey.
New Yorker fashion stylist James Jeffries, 37, believes the Sussexes are No.1.
“To take on such a powerful organisation as they have, for me, as a person of colour, is incredible,” he said. “I think for many people of colour, it is difficult to look beyond Meghan.
“She has raised awareness around what was a very secretive family and, at the same time, been supported by Harry. He has been incredibly courageous in standing up for what is right.”
One well-placed royal source said: “It’s not bad to receive an accolade, but it illustrates the fundamental difference between the Cambridges who have constitutional roles and are working on behalf of others versus being a celebrity. Both appear to hold different values.”
