Princess Catherine reportedly had a slightly different view from Prince William regarding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step away from royal life in 2020. While the Prince of Wales, according to an upcoming royal book, is said to have been “intensely saddened” by Harry’s decision, the Princess of Wales viewed the deterioration of her husband’s relationship with his younger brother from the sidelines.
“He and Harry had been drifting apart for years, but now he knew deep down that there would be no turning back. Fond memories of their childhood, from helping each other through the tragedy of their mother’s death, to growing up in the public eye, were now tarnished by the division at the heart of the family.”
Referring to Princess Catherine’s specific feelings about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s departure – which quickly became known as ‘Megxit’ – Mr Myers continues: “As an ‘outsider’, Catherine had witnessed the deterioration of William and Harry’s relationship.
“She had seen Harry and Meghan become ever more bitter at having to follow the rules of a hierarchical and hereditary monarchy, until they felt as if they could follow them no longer.
“(However,) Catherine had less interest than her husband in trying to persuade Harry to stay in his current role. She believed William and Harry’s fundamental differences as the ‘heir and the spare’ had created the inevitability of Harry wanting more from his role than being a bit-part player.”
Royal biographer Phil Dampier said: “She saw it as a stepping stone, getting married to Harry and to new fame and fortune.
“And I think that’s what initially Prince William was concerned about. And that’s why they fell out. And now, we are where we are. But to have this confirmed by somebody so close to the Queen is really dynamic.”
In his bombshell memoir Spare, which was released in January 2023, Harry alleged William gave him a warning to take it slow in his relationship with Meghan, writing: “It’s too fast, he’d told me. Too soon. In fact, he’d actually been pretty discouraging about my even dating Meg.”
Extracted from WILLIAM AND CATHERINE by RUSSELL MYERS, published by Ebury Spotlight on 26th February at £22. Copyright © Russell Myers 2025.