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Speculation as to the current relationship status between Prince William and Prince Harry has been rife in recent months, particularly following the bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview that saw the younger royal divulge his true feelings toward the rest of his family.
However, as most will know, relations between the brothers have been on the rocks for quite some time with much of the drama stemming back to 2019 when it was announced that Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, would be setting up their own charity. Confirming that they would be parting ways with William and Kate’s Royal Foundation, the decision came as a surprise to the general public – but it shouldn’t have according to historian Robert Lacey, who claims that there was “much more going on behind closed doors”.
Already dedicating a large portion of his career to the royal family, Lacey is the man behind Battle of Brothers: The Inside Story of a Family in Tumult. Publishing a new excerpt from the book in The Times over the weekend, he claims that tensions between William and Harry peaked three years ago amid bullying allegations made against Meghan Markle.
Learning that palace staff were accusing Markle of mistreatment, William confronted his brother about it… which ultimately led to a “fierce and bitter” showdown. “When Harry flared up in furious defence of his wife, the elder brother persisted,” Lacey wrote in his book. “Harry shut off his phone angrily, so William went to speak to him personally. The prince was horrified by what he had just been told about Meghan’s alleged behaviour, and he wanted to hear what Harry had to say. The showdown between the brothers was fierce and bitter.”
In fact, a source later told Lacey that the argument was what prompted William to sever professional ties with his brother, stating “William threw Harry out.” Interactions between William and Harry remain jilted though they are expected to come together to unveil a commemorative statue of their late mother next month.
Meanwhile, Meghan gave her first official interview since giving birth to baby Lilibet earlier this month. Speaking to NPR Radio over the weekend, the Duchess of Sussex discussed her new children’s book The Bench. Inspired by her husband and son, Archie, Markle told listeners that the book is essentially a love story – one she hopes others will be able to enjoy outside the context of it being about her own family.
“It’s really just about growing with someone and having this deep connection and this trust so that, be at good times or bad, you know that you had this person. I really hope that people can see this as a love story that transcends the story of my family,” she commented.
Also speaking about the importance of ensuring that the story was inclusive, she reflected on how her own childhood experiences shaped the book. “Growing up, I remember so much how it felt to not see yourself represented. Any child or any family hopefully can open this book and see themselves in it, whether that means glasses or freckled or a different body shape or a different ethnicity or religion.”
Feature image via @princeandprincessofwales