Exclusive: Kate's Three-Word Meghan Verdict Revealed in Royal Biography
The Mirror's royal editor Russell Myers has authored the first joint biography of the Prince and Princess of Wales in over a decade. William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story draws on exclusive access to numerous palace insiders and features never-before-told context about the biggest stories surrounding the royal couple in recent years.
Princess Catherine Saw Sussex Departure as 'Inevitable'
In the third of four exclusive serialisations in The Mirror, it is revealed how Catherine, who had long been a voice of reason in William and Harry's disputes, decided she could do no more to reconcile them. This marked a major turning point in royal relations.
William and Catherine had particular reason for concern about the Sussexes' departure. William was profoundly saddened by his brother's decision to leave royal life. While they had been drifting apart for years, William understood this decision was permanent. Childhood memories, including supporting each other through their mother's tragic death and growing up under public scrutiny, were now overshadowed by deep family division.
Catherine's Perspective as an 'Outsider'
As someone who entered the family from outside, Catherine witnessed the deterioration of William and Harry's relationship firsthand. She observed Harry and Meghan becoming increasingly resentful of the hierarchical monarchy's rules until they felt unable to continue within the system.
Catherine showed less interest than her husband in persuading Harry to remain in his royal role. She believed the fundamental differences between William as heir and Harry as 'the spare' made it inevitable that Harry would seek more than a supporting role.
Conflict Over Royal Work in Africa
Tensions escalated between the couples over perceived territorial disputes in their charitable work. William had long demonstrated interest in environmental conservation across Africa, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. This area connected his love of countryside with broader environmental concerns, offering a platform to drive meaningful change.
However, Harry viewed this as confrontational, telling William during one meeting at St James's Palace: "You don't just get Africa." This highlighted growing philosophical differences about how royals should approach their charitable work and public roles.
Early Meetings and Media Onslaught
Before their relationship became public, Harry introduced Meghan to the family. She executed a perfect curtsy to the Queen and charmed William, though he felt somewhat awkward receiving a hug upon arrival. Catherine described Meghan as "friendly", albeit with a touch of California enthusiasm that bordered on over-familiarity.
The media's intense scrutiny changed everything overnight. Details of Meghan's life became tabloid currency, blurring boundaries of taste and decency. Harry reacted furiously, instructing Kensington Palace communications to respond immediately without consulting his father or brother as protocol dictated, citing "a wave of abuse and harassment... the racial undertones of comment pieces."
Security Dispute and Growing Rifts
Harry became furious when Meghan wasn't granted security protection that Catherine had received earlier in her relationship with William. When informed protection wouldn't be provided until after their marriage, Harry appealed to his father and brother to intervene. Prince Charles insisted he couldn't interfere with government decisions involving taxpayer funding, while William refused to help, sparking a bitter feud.
William had warned Harry about the speed of his relationship with Meghan, urging caution, but Harry, lovestruck, disregarded the advice. Initially, William found Megan refreshing and was genuinely happy for his brother, though concerned about potential style clashes.
Catherine's Attempts at Reconciliation
Catherine, despite coming from a very different background than the career-focused Meghan, was willing to give her a chance. She adored Harry and encouraged William to maintain his relationship with his brother despite growing differences. Catherine and Sophie, now Duchess of Edinburgh, made repeated attempts to help Meghan adjust to royal life, but their efforts went unreciprocated.
Following Harry and Meghan's wedding, relations deteriorated significantly. William and Catherine felt the Sussexes had 'an agenda' and their behavior stemmed from more than mere difficulty. The atmosphere became "pretty toxic", with Catherine finding Meghan abrasive and seeing the eventual separation as inevitable.
William's Pain Over Losing His Brother
Sources close to William and Catherine reveal the couple grew increasingly concerned for Harry and Meghan's welfare. William felt he had "lost his brother" somewhere along the line, describing Harry as becoming "paranoid, angry, obsessive and firmly rooted in the past." Despite available love and support, the rift deepened irreparably.
Aftermath of the Oprah Interview
Following Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey, a siege mentality developed within the palace. William was particularly aggrieved by Harry's claim of being "trapped" in the system, while Catherine felt deeply betrayed by Meghan's disclosure of a private exchange about wedding dress fittings.
This confirmed for Catherine a fundamental difference between herself and Meghan, leading her to believe the Sussexes could no longer be trusted. She became clear that any future engagement with Harry or Meghan required "the utmost caution" because they were not trustworthy.
The biography reveals how what began as family disagreements evolved into an irreparable breach, with Catherine's three-word assessment of Meghan as "friendly" but overly familiar marking the beginning of a relationship that would ultimately fracture the royal family.
