Prince Harry was left "astounded" after tense conversations with King Charles and Prince William, according to a royal biography, as he and Meghan Markle have returned to the UK with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
The Duke and Duchess announced their shock decision and the two royal children are already enrolled in schools in the UK. Harry and Meghan are believed to have moved into a private, non-royal residence outside of London. It comes six years after they dramatically stepped down from their roles as senior working royals and left the UK to move to Montecito in California.
Return to the UK and past claims
The couple's aim was to become financially independent and they embarked on a series of high profile interviews, including a controversial chat with Oprah Winfrey, as well as appearing in their own Netflix series, Finding Freedom about their time in the royal family.
In these, as well as Prince Harry's memoir, Spare, the couple made a number of claims about their time within the monarchy, including an incident where the Duke of Sussex had a fight with elder brother, Prince William, over his relationship with Meghan. Harry claimed it ended when William knocked him into a dog bowl, although sources close to the Prince of Wales have said the allegations were "overblown".
Royal brothers' relationship under strain
King Charles and Prince William are believed to have been told of Meghan and Harry's plans at the same time and believed to be in "lockstep" over a refusal to allow the Duke of Sussex to have a "half in, half out" role within the royal family. Harry is not thought to be resuming his former royal duties.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are also said to be determined not to be drawn into the "drama" surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Kate and William's friends have said while they "cannot forgive" the Sussexes for their accusations against the royal family during their time in America they are determined to "look forward to the future". Following Harry and Meghan's announcement they were stepping away from the royal family, Kate was said to be "less keen" to persuade them to stay, unlike her husband.
This came after a time of friction between the royal brothers, who are not believed to have reconciled in the years since Harry's departure.
Book details breakdown
Mirror royal editor, Russell Myers, examined the breakdown of the relationship in his biography about the royal couple, William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story. The book examines the tensions between William and Harry, which began several years before the royal exit. In the early days of Harry's relationship with Meghan, back in 2016, the Duchess "became a target on social media owing to her biracial heritage," Myers wrote.
He explained: "Harry demanded that action be taken. Royal aides informed him they were powerless to act, so he turned his attention to the royal protection teams funded by the Home Office. When told any such protection would not be provided until after he and Meghan were married, Harry was incredulous and appealed to his father [then-Prince Charles] and brother to intervene."
"The (then) Prince of Wales insisted he could not become involved in a government decision, especially one where any costs would be footed by taxpayers, but Harry was well aware that Catherine had not only received unofficial guidance from the palace when merely his brother's girlfriend, but that she had also qualified for 'round-the-clock protection as soon as they became engaged," Myers continued. "One rule for him and another for me, Harry thought."
The book says the King's decision "was final, though, and William's subsequent unwillingness to help sparked a row that ignored a long-running and ugly feud."
Further strain was placed on the brothers' relationship when Harry issued a statement condemning the online coverage Meghan had received without first speaking to his father or brother.
Myers said: "Harry's reaction was furious and swift. Without consulting his father or brother, as the hierarchy would normally dictate, he instructed the Kensington Palace communications team to respond at once." Harry "was infuriated that his father and brother admonished him for his rash actions, and the tense conversations left Harry astounded that his own kin were refusing to offer their support."
After that, it became "harder to get them in the same room," Myers wrote, referring to William and Harry, with "each giving various excuses as to why they could not—or perhaps would not—be available to engage with meetings together."
Still, the book notes that William initially welcomed Meghan. "It's easy to forget now, given everything that has gone on," Myers cites a source as saying. "But William did find Meghan quite refreshing at first. He was genuinely happy for Harry and only wanted the best for him." But over time, Myers writes, William "felt as though somewhere down the line, perhaps it is impossible to even say when, that he lost his brother."
