Prince Harry has claimed his brother, Prince William, physically attacked him during a 2019 argument over Meghan Markle, according to excerpts from his upcoming memoir Spare seen by the Guardian. The book alleges that William grabbed Harry by the collar, ripped his necklace, and knocked him to the floor, causing him to land on a dog bowl.
The Guardian reports that the row began when William criticised Meghan, calling her "difficult", "rude", and "abrasive". Harry writes that William "came at me" after setting down a glass of water, and that he lay dazed on the floor before telling his brother to leave. William later returned to apologise, according to the memoir.
Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace have declined to comment, adopting a strategy of not responding to controversial claims. Meanwhile, in a preview of an ITV interview, Harry refused to commit to attending the King's coronation in May, stating that "a lot can happen between now and then" and that the "ball is in [the Royal Family's] court".
The memoir also claims William "howled with laughter" when Harry wore a Nazi costume to a 2005 fancy dress party, as reported by the New York Post. Harry asked William and Catherine for advice on the outfit, and they allegedly encouraged him to wear it.
Spare is due for release next Tuesday but was accidentally put on sale early in Spain. UK bookshops remain under a strict embargo.
