A new biography has exposed what royal insiders describe as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's "declaration of war" against the monarchy, an event that plunged the royal family into turmoil months after the Sussexes' departure to California. The revelation comes from Russell Myers' book, William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, which delves into the private lives and reactions of the future king and queen to the ongoing saga.
The December 2022 Flashpoint
In December 2022, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, embarked on a significant three-day visit to Boston for the Earthshot Prize Awards, a cause deeply cherished by William. However, their trip was dramatically overshadowed when the first trailer for Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary series was released on December 1, precisely in the middle of the Waleses' itinerary.
Myers' biography reveals that royal circles viewed this timing as a blatant attempt to hijack the attention from William and Kate's efforts. The trailer featured a dramatic voiceover from Harry stating, "no one sees what's happening behind closed doors," with Meghan shown in the background, apparently in tears. This move was swiftly condemned in the media, with the Daily Mail quoting sources calling it a "declaration of war," and The Times portraying the Sussexes as "self-styled victims" who were "pulling no punches."
Strengthened Bonds and Private Reactions
The timing was particularly sensitive, coming just months after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. While Harry and Meghan returned to the UK to pay their respects, the rest of the royal family maintained a cautious distance, still reeling from the couple's earlier explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021. That interview had included allegations of racism, claims that Princess Kate made Meghan cry, and assertions of a secret wedding—all points that have been disputed by palace officials.
According to Myers, the Netflix trailer incident inadvertently strengthened the bond between Prince William and King Charles III. A courtier disclosed, "They were in constant contact over that period. They were completely aligned that if there were any further accusations they believed to be untrue then they would be ready to respond." Ultimately, while the documentary generated hyperbolic headlines suggesting the Sussexes aimed to dismantle the monarchy, palace insiders dismissed the six-part series as a "drawn-out whingefest."
A Pattern of Controversial Timing
The biography highlights a recurring pattern where Harry and Meghan have been accused of attempting to upstage key royal moments. For instance, in January 2023, Harry gave two major interviews to promote his memoir, Spare, with ITV's Tom Bradby and CBS's Anderson Cooper. These aired on January 8, just one day before Princess Kate's 41st birthday, and included discussions on the tense relationship between Kate and Meghan, sparking outrage among royal fans.
Similarly, in May 2021, Meghan faced criticism for announcing the release of her book, The Bench, merely days before Kate unveiled her photography album, Hold Still, which captured life in the UK during the COVID-19 lockdown. More recently, in March of last year, Meghan launched her new project, American Riviera Orchard, via a new Instagram account just an hour before Prince William delivered an emotional speech at the Princess Diana Legacy Award event in London.
Legacy of Tension and Future Implications
These incidents have exacerbated the rift within the royal family, with Myers' biography providing an intimate look at the private frustrations and strategic alignments that have emerged in response. The "declaration of war" in December 2022 is portrayed as a pivotal moment that not only disrupted royal engagements but also solidified alliances within the monarchy, particularly between William and Charles, as they navigate the ongoing challenges posed by the Sussexes' public criticisms.
As the royal family continues to adapt to a new era under King Charles III, the revelations in this biography underscore the lasting impact of Harry and Meghan's actions, painting a picture of a monarchy grappling with internal discord while striving to maintain its public image and unity.
