A bombshell new book has revealed a key reason behind Prince William and Prince Harry’s public rift – and it has to do with the royal protection given to Kate and Meghan
A row over Kate and Meghan’s royal protection added to the feud between William and Harry(Image: PA)
A major cause of Prince William and Prince Harry’s fierce rift has been revealed in a bombshell royal book.
The two brothers have been at odds for several years, with Duke of Sussex’s describing him as his “beloved brother and archnemesis” in his 2023 memoir, Spare.
Though many have speculated over the exact cause of their spat, extracts from William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story – a new book by the Mirror’s Royal Editor, Russell Myers – reveal that a dispute over Kate and Meghan’s protection contributed to their falling out.
Referring to Harry’s well-known feelings about his need for royal protection, Myers writes that the Duke’s concerns were exacerbated when his then-girlfriend, Meghan Markle, “became a target on social media owing to her biracial heritage” during the early days of their relationship.
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A new biography William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story , by The Mirror’s royal editor Russell Myers
The exclusive extract reads: “Meghan became a target on social media owing to her biracial heritage and Harry demanded that action be taken. Royal aides informed him they were powerless to act, so he turned his attention to the royal protection teams funded by the Home Office. When told any such protection would not be provided until after he and Meghan were married, Harry was incredulous and appealed to his father and brother to intervene.
“The (then) Prince of Wales insisted he could not become involved in a government decision, especially one where any costs would be footed by taxpayers, but Harry was well aware that Catherine had not only received unofficial guidance from the palace when merely his brother’s girlfriend, but that she had also qualified for round-the-clock protection as soon as they became engaged.
“One rule for him and another for me, Harry thought.
“Prince Charles’s decision was final, though, and William’s subsequent unwillingness to help sparked a row that ignited a long-running and ugly feud.”
Further damage was reportedly done to the relationship when Harry issued a brash statement condemning the online coverage Meghan had been receiving – without first consulting his father or his elder brother.
The statement from Harry’s spokesperson was shared following a “wave of abuse and harassment” Meghan was facing and served as the first public confirmation of his relationship.
Harry said then that he was worried about his girlfriend’s safety, and called out the “racial undertones of comment pieces,” as well as the “outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments.”
Writing in his book about how Harry’s actions rocked the Royal Family, Myers explains: “Harry’s reaction was furious and swift. Without consulting his father or brother, as the hierarchy would normally dictate, he instructed the Kensington Palace communications team to respond at once – highlighting ‘a wave of abuse and harassment … the racial undertones of comment pieces’.
“The media’s tone may have dampened, but the interest in their relationship did not. Harry was infuriated that his father and brother admonished him for his rash actions, and the tense conversations left Harry astounded that his own kin were refusing to offer their support.
“This period did indeed mark an outward shift in their relations. Suddenly it was harder to get them in the same room, each giving various excuses as to why they could not – or perhaps would not – be available to engage with meetings together.”
William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, published on 26 February by Ebury, Penguin Random House, is available to pre-order now.