Prince William’s ‘doubts’ over Meghan Markle sparked bitter ‘5-year feud’ with Harry
The long-standing feud between Prince William and Prince Harry has been a topic of much discussion, particularly following Harry’s departure from the UK with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their son, Archie. The tension between the brothers, which has escalated in recent years, has its roots in incidents that date back to 2018.
Reports of a rift began to surface after Harry married Meghan, with royal reporter Katie Nicholl revealing a Christmas 2018 disagreement where Harry felt William wasn’t making enough effort to include Meghan in the family. This initial conflict was resolved after their father, King Charles, intervened, leading to the brothers and their wives spending that Christmas together.
The situation intensified when Prince William reportedly cautioned Harry about moving too quickly in his relationship with Meghan. Journalist Omid Scobie, in his book “Endgame,” described William’s concerns about the pace of Harry’s relationship with Meghan, who came from a very different background. According to The Sun’s Emily Andrews, Harry reacted strongly to William’s warnings, perceiving them as an attempt to sabotage his relationship.
Prince Harry publicly acknowledged the strained relationship with his brother in the 2019 ITV documentary “Harry & Meghan: An African Journey.” He spoke of their different paths but affirmed his enduring bond with William.
However, the brothers’ relationship further deteriorated after Harry and Meghan decided to step down as senior royals in January 2020. This decision reportedly blindsided Prince William, deepening the rift between them.
In a joint statement, the brothers refuted claims that William had “bullied” Harry and Meghan out of the royal family, emphasizing their commitment to mental health issues.
The tension reached a new height with Harry and Meghan’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. They made several serious allegations against the royal family, including concerns raised about their son Archie’s skin color. According to Katie Nicholl, William was deeply upset by the revelations.
At Prince Philip’s funeral, the brothers’ interactions were noticeably cold. Harry later described a heated discussion with William and King Charles in his book “Spare.” He recounted an altercation with William where the confrontation became physical.
The release of the Sussexes’ Netflix docuseries in December 2022 and Harry’s memoir “Spare” further deepened the divide. In these, Harry accused William of briefing the press against him and suggested jealousy from William and Kate towards Meghan. Harry’s detailed account of his physical altercation with William in “Spare” added another layer to their complex relationship, revealing the depth of their disagreements and the personal challenges they have faced.