Kate Middleton was reportedly “less interested” in keeping Prince Harry within the folds of the royal family than her husband Prince William.
Royal author Russell Myer has shared what was reportedly the Prince and Princess of Wales’ reaction to Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s dramatic exit from the royal family in 2020 in his new book, William and Catherine: The Monarchy’s New Era: The Inside Story.
At the time, Harry and Meghan shocked the world when they decided to ”step back as senior members of the royal family”.
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Kate was not as enthused as William about bringing Harry back into the royal fold, a new book claims. (Getty)
According to Myers, per an excerpt of his book published in The Mirror, “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.”
Myers says William was “intensely saddened” by Harry’s decision.
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Harry and William were once very close. (FilmMagic)
“He and Harry had been drifting apart for years, but now he knew deep down that there would be no turning back,” the author said.
“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.”
The brothers have not seen each other in many years, despite Harry having met with their father, King Charles, multiple times since, with the latest being in September 2025.
Harry met the King while on a trip to his homeland last September, spending 55 minutes with him after not seeing him for 19 months beforehand.
But the frequency of the Sussex family’s visits may be changing, with Harry soon to be granted guaranteed taxpayer-funded security in the UK for his wife and children, Archie and Lilibet.
Harry’s fight to reinstate these security measures started when he and Meghan stepped down from their royal roles in 2020, and after a lengthy legal battle lasting years, he lost the case in May 2025.
Harry has reunited with the King, but not his brother. (WireImage)
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However, the Home Office granted a full risk assessment two months ago, with the Sussexes set to be protected once again.
This will mean that Harry will be able to bring his family over for more potential family reunions, maybe even with his estranged older brother.
World-shaking secret Harry, Meghan were keeping in this pic
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