A new and ostensibly definitive account of the House of Windsor suggests that the profound estrangement between Prince William and Prince Harry was ignited long before the Duke of Sussex’s departure from frontline royal duties.
In his upcoming book, William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, the Daily Mirror’s Royal Editor, Russell Myers, asserts that the roots of the fraternal rift lie in a series of tense disputes regarding the security of Meghan Markle and a fundamental breakdown in the “Firm’s” rigid chain of command.
The Security Stand-off and Perceived Inequality
The friction reportedly began when the then-Meghan Markle was subjected to a “wave of abuse and harassment” on social media. Prince Harry, increasingly concerned for his partner’s safety, demanded that the Home Office provide Meghan with immediate, taxpayer-funded protection.
When informed that such security could not be granted to a private citizen before marriage, Harry appealed to his father and brother to intervene. Their refusal, grounded in the principle that the Monarchy cannot interfere in government spending, reportedly left Harry feeling a sense of deep-seated inequality. He noted that while Catherine had received unofficial palace guidance during her courtship, Meghan was left exposed, leading him to conclude there was “one rule for William and another for me.”
The ‘Rash’ Statement: A Defiance of Royal Protocol
The turning point in the relationship occurred when Prince Harry took the unprecedented step of issuing a public statement to the media. In this “bombshell” communication, his spokesperson condemned the “racial undertones” of comment pieces and the “outright sexism and racism” of social media trolls.
While the sentiment was protective, the execution was viewed by the Palace as a “rash action.” In the world of the British Monarchy, the “Hierarchy of Communication” dictates that major public statements must be vetted and synchronised across the different Royal Households, Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, and Kensington Palace. By releasing this statement without prior consultation or approval from his father (then the Prince of Wales) or his elder brother, Harry effectively bypassed the established chain of command.
The Breakdown of the Hierarchy
This move was seen as more than just a media gaffe; it was a breach of the institutional discipline that holds the Monarchy together. The biography details how Prince Charles and Prince William subsequently “admonished” Harry for his impulsive decision.
Rather than accepting the correction, Harry was reportedly “astounded” and “infuriated” that his kin were prioritising protocol over the safety and emotional wellbeing of his partner. This clash of values; Harry’s “family first” versus William’s “institution first”, created an outward shift in their relations. The book describes a sudden difficulty in getting the two brothers in the same room, as they began using various excuses to avoid meetings, ultimately cementing a long-running and ugly feud.
A Legacy of Discord
Russell Myers’ account portrays this period as the moment the brothers ceased to be a “united front.” The breakdown in communication over the media statement served as the blueprint for the eventual “Megxit” split, proving that the technicalities of royal hierarchy were, for Harry, no longer worth the personal cost.
William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story is scheduled for publication by Ebury Spotlight on 26 February.
Extracted from WILLIAM AND CATHERINE by RUSSELL MYERS, published by Ebury Spotlight on 26th February at £22. Copyright © Russell Myers 2025.
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