Prince Harry and Prince William’s strained relationship has been the subject of global speculation for years. Now, a new royal book claims the divide may have started earlier than many realized. According to the author, a single decision made during the early days of Harry’s relationship with Meghan Markle allegedly altered the family dynamic. The moment, it’s claimed, created a noticeable “shift” between the brothers, and even with King Charles.
Prince Harry couldn’t be in the ‘same room’ as Prince William and King Charles, says author
In extracts from “William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story,” royal editor Russell Myers claims that a decisive moment came when Prince Harry ordered a public statement addressing intense media attention surrounding Meghan Markle shortly after news of their relationship emerged in 2016. According to the author, officials moved quickly and, crucially, bypassed the prior approval typically expected under royal communications protocol.
Myers alleges that Harry’s decision surprised senior members of the family, including then-Prince Charles and Prince William, who reportedly believed such matters should have followed established internal processes. The author writes that the reaction from Harry’s father and brother led to “tense conversations.” Moreover, Prince Harry allegedly felt unsupported, while they expressed concern about the precedent this could set.
Myers suggests this disagreement created an immediate change in family relations, as reported by Express UK. “This period did indeed mark an outward shift in their relations,” the author writes. According to the book, scheduling conflicts or reluctance increasingly kept them from being in the same room together.
The book also describes security concerns as another point of friction. Myers alleges Harry sought additional protection arrangements early in his relationship. It was an appeal to both his father and brother for assistance. According to the author, King Charles maintained that privately influencing decisions involving publicly funded protection was not an option, while Prince William chose to stay out of the matter. The book claims the response frustrated Harry and contributed to further disagreements.
At the time, Meghan’s introduction to the royal family was reportedly cordial, with early meetings described as positive. However, the author suggests that growing pressures surrounding public attention and differing expectations within the institution gradually complicated family dynamics.
The brothers themselves publicly hinted at distance in 2019, when Harry acknowledged they were “on different paths.” As such, Myers’ book argues that the roots of that separation may have begun much earlier.
