The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are thought to have been, at least partly, motivated to leave the royal frontline by their ongoing spat with their in-laws, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The couple have now laid down roots in Meghan’s home state of California, US, and have bought their first home together in the private community of Santa Barbara. Harry and Meghan will not be returning to the UK for the festive period, and the exact date of their next trip back to Britain remains unknown — especially after they recently handed the keys to their Windsor property over to Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.
Speculation that a rift still exists between the Sussexes and some senior members of the Firm has only grown in recent months.
Harry’s request to have a wreath laid on his behalf at the Cenotaph for Remembrance Day was reportedly rejected.
His Netflix deal has also caused a storm. He is not expected to pull out of the historic production contract, despite the streaming service’s biggest show being The Crown which some claim has exploited his parents’ relationship.
Yet, it’s the fallout with Prince William — that allegedly started when he first met Meghan — which has left royal fans heartbroken.
Prince Harry, Prince William and Meghan Markle (Image: Getty)
William, Harry and Meghan in 2018 shortly before their wedding (Image: Getty)
As the pro-Sussex biography Finding Freedom claims, William told his brother he should “take the time to get to know this girl” without feeling as though he was in “a rush”.
Authors Carolyn Durand and Omid Scobie explained: “Since William didn’t know much about Meghan, he just wanted to make sure that Harry wasn’t blindsided by lust.”
He wanted to check she had the “right intentions”, having only met her a handful of times.
Yet, Harry is known to be incredibly protective over Meghan and supposedly resented how William referred to his then-girlfriend.
Writing in his book, ‘Meghan Misunderstood’, Sean Smith claimed: “It seems unlikely that Harry would have taken this lying down and may well have aimed a few home truths of his own at the future King.”
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Harry and William seemed on excellent terms during the Sussexes’ wedding – William was best man (Image: Getty)
Harry and Meghan’s romantic timeline (Image: Express.co.uk)
While neither brother has addressed this supposed conversation directly, Mr Smith noted, “the conversation as reported was a very one-sided exchange”.
Finding Freedom also suggests that William’s comments infuriated Harry, but does not reveal what the younger brother’s rebuttal may have been.
One source told the Finding Freedom authors: “Harry could see through William’s words. He was a snob.”
This “snobbish tone” was “anathema to [Harry’s] approach to the world”, according to the authors.
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Harry reportedly did not enjoy always being the third wheel to William and Kate (Image: Getty)
William, Kate, Meghan and Harry walking to Christmas together in 2018 (Image: Getty)
They explained: “During his 10-year career in the military, outside of the royal bubble, he had learned not to make harsh judgements about people based on their accent, education, ethnicity, class or profession.”
Yet, he felt that was exactly what William was doing towards Meghan.
They added: “There was a thin line between benevolence and condescension.
“Just because he led his life differently from his brother didn’t hurt.”
William, Kate, Meghan and Harry were known as the Fab Four — entering the Commonwealth Day service together in 2017 (Image: Getty)
The frostiness between the couples was palpable at the Commonwealth Day service earlier this year (Image: Getty)
Finding Freedom also suggests the Duke of Sussex was angry because he felt he no longer needed to be looked after by his older brother — and definitely did not want to continue acting as third wheel in William’s relationship with Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.
Harry is known to have a temper, too, so it would be surprising if he did not react to William’s words.
Insiders have claimed that he shouted at the Queen over Meghan’s tiara choice for her wedding, while his statements against the media have shown his frustration at living in the public eye in the past.
However, Mr Smith noted how the brothers managed to push past the spat for Harry’s lavish wedding day in May 2018 and that “nobody would have guessed” they had fallen out when they stood together at the altar waiting for Meghan.
‘Meghan Misunderstood’ by Sean Smith was published by HarperCollins Publishers in 2020 and is available here.
