Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly planning to relocate back to the UK by the end of August, six years after stepping down from royal duties. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to be returning with their children, Archie and Lilibet, who are expected to begin school in Britain within weeks. King Charles is reportedly aware of the plans following an emotional reunion with his youngest son last month, according to the Daily Star.
Camilla's Leaks to the Press
In his 2023 memoir Spare, Harry alleges that his stepmother, Queen Camilla, fed stories to the press about Prince William. He recounts how both he and William implored their father King Charles not to marry Camilla, and how she provided "pinpoint accurate details" about her initial encounter with Harry's brother. Insinuating that Camilla was the source of the leak, Harry writes: "None [of the details] had come from Willy, of course. They could only have been leaked by the one other person present."
Queen's Role in Split from Chelsy Davy
Harry's book reveals that his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, played a part in his separation from first serious girlfriend Chelsy Davy. The pair had an on-off romance between 2004 and 2011, during which Chelsy was introduced to the Queen and attended William and Kate's wedding as Harry's guest. Harry writes that Chelsy made him "really happy," but this proved insufficient for the relationship to last. "I couldn't help what my grandmother thought about it. Or the people. And the last thing I wanted was for Chels to change to please them," he wrote. Chelsy has also discussed the strain of public scrutiny, telling the Times: "It was so full-on: crazy and scary and uncomfortable. I found it very difficult when it was bad. I couldn't cope. I was young, I was trying to be a normal kid and it was horrible."
William 'Tipsy' and 'Stank of Booze' Before Wedding
Harry claimed his brother had been drinking rum the evening before his wedding to Catherine, suggesting he was "tipsy" when he conducted an impromptu walkabout in London. Harry writes: "Willy, already tipsy from the rum, shouted: 'Let's go down and see them!'." Harry describes how the pair were "physically and emotionally exhausted," and it appeared his brother had barely rested before collecting him the following morning. "I was stunned when I went to pick him up in the morning and saw his haggard face and red eyes; It seemed that he had not slept at all," Harry wrote. Harry alleges that once the vehicle began moving, he told his brother he "smelled like alcohol," noting it was likely the "aftermath of the rum from the night before."
Charles's 'Cruel' Jokes
In the memoir, Harry claims his father frequently delivered a succession of cutting jokes at his expense. One anecdote concerned a trip to a psychiatric facility where Charles met a patient insisting he was the Prince of Wales. According to Harry's book, Charles gestured towards the patient and proclaimed he was the only Prince of Wales. Harry then alleges that Charles quipped: "Who knows if I'm even your real father? Perhaps your father really is in Broadmoor, my dear son!" Harry wrote that the joke was "in poor taste" given the rumour circulating at the time that his biological father was James Hewitt, as reported by the Daily Mail. Elsewhere in the book, he claims Charles joked about him being the "spare" just moments after his birth, recounting how the now King told his mother Princess Diana: "Wonderful! Now you've given me an heir and a spare. My work is done."
First Meeting with Camilla and Charles's Lack of Hug
Harry refers to Camilla as the Other Woman throughout sections of the book, admitting he dreaded her becoming a "wicked stepmother," reports the Independent. He likens their first encounter to receiving an injection, writing "Close your eyes and you won't even feel it." Harry further accuses Camilla of "campaigning" for the Crown once their relationship became public knowledge. Yet during Harry's interview with ITV's Tom Bradby, he insists he does not say anything "scathing" about Camilla, saying: "There's no part of any of the things that I've said [in the book] that are scathing towards any member of my family, especially not my stepmother." Harry also describes the moment he discovered his mother Princess Diana had passed away, revealing "Pa didn't hug me." He explains that his father struggled to express his emotions, yet adds that he rested a hand on his knee and reassured him "It's going to be OK."
Bald Jibes and Violent Confrontation with William
In the opening pages of the book, Harry discloses conversations he had with William and Charles when he travelled to the UK for Prince Philip's funeral. He describes noting his brother's "advancing baldness, more advance than my own" and adds: "His famous resemblance to Mummy, which was fading with time." Among the most startling revelations is that a violent confrontation took place between Harry and William at Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace in 2019. The book alleges that William had labelled Meghan "difficult," "rude" and "abrasive." Harry then alleges: "(William) called me another name, then came at me. It all happened so fast. So very fast. He grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and he knocked me to the floor. I landed on the dog's bowl, which cracked under my back, the pieces cutting into me. I lay there for a moment, dazed, then got to my feet and told him to get out." Harry writes that William urged him to hit back but he refused, and shortly afterwards the elder brother apologised.
William and Catherine 'Approved of Harry's Nazi Uniform'
Reflecting on his early twenties, Harry recounts the notorious Nazi uniform costume he wore to a fancy dress party in 2005. Pictures of Harry sporting the outfit became public, sparking widespread condemnation, but in his memoir, he maintains that William and Catherine gave their approval for him to wear it. He reveals that he rang them to seek their opinion on whether he should wear it, adding that they both "howled" when he told them about it.
