Prince Harry was left "astounded" after tense conversations with King Charles and Prince William, according to a new royal biography, as he and Meghan Markle return to the UK with their children Archie and Lilibet.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made the surprise announcement, with their two youngsters already enrolled in British schools. The couple are understood to have settled into a private, non-royal residence outside of London.
Return to the UK after six years
The move comes six years after they stepped back from their roles as senior working royals and relocated to Montecito in California. The pair sought to achieve financial independence, embarking on a string of high-profile ventures, including a controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey, as well as starring in their own Netflix series, Finding Freedom, about their time in the royal family.
Through these appearances, along with Prince Harry's memoir, Spare, the couple levelled a number of allegations about their time as members of the monarchy, including a physical altercation between the Duke of Sussex and his elder brother, Prince William, over his relationship with Meghan. Harry claimed the confrontation concluded when William knocked him into a dog bowl, though sources close to the Prince of Wales have said the allegations were "overblown", reports the Daily Star.
King and Prince William in 'lockstep'
King Charles and Prince William are said to have been informed of Harry and Meghan's intentions simultaneously, and are believed to be in "lockstep" in opposing any "half in, half out" arrangement for the Duke of Sussex within the royal family. Harry is not expected to resume his previous royal duties.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are also said to be resolute in avoiding being pulled into the "drama" surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Catherine and William's friends have said that while they "cannot forgive" the Sussexes for their allegations against the royal family during their time in America, they are determined to "look forward to the future".
After Harry and Meghan's declaration they were distancing themselves from the royal family, Catherine was reportedly "less keen" to persuade them to stay, unlike her husband. This followed a period of tension between the royal brothers, who are not thought to have reconciled in the years since Harry's exit.
Biography explores the deterioration
Mirror royal editor, Russell Myers, explored the deterioration of the relationship in his biography about the royal couple, William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story. The book analyses the friction between William and Harry, which emerged several years before the royal departure.
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."
Myers states 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." The brothers' relationship came under further pressure when Harry released a statement denouncing the online coverage Meghan had received without first consulting 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." Following this, Myers wrote that it became "harder to get them in the same room," 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."
Nevertheless, 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." However, as time passed, Myers writes, William "felt as though somewhere down the line, perhaps it is impossible to even say when, that he lost his brother."
