Royal Protection Dispute Fuels Prince William and Harry's 'Ugly' Feud
A bombshell new royal biography has uncovered a pivotal reason behind the public rift between Prince William and Prince Harry, centering on the security arrangements for their wives, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.
The Protection Controversy
Extracts from William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, authored by the Mirror's Royal Editor Russell Myers, reveal that a dispute over royal protection significantly contributed to the brothers' falling out. The book details how Prince Harry's concerns escalated when Meghan Markle, then his girlfriend, faced targeted abuse on social media due to her biracial heritage during their relationship's early days.
According to the biography, Harry demanded action from royal aides, who claimed they were powerless to intervene. He then turned to the royal protection teams funded by the Home Office, only to be informed that such protection would not be provided until after their marriage. This response left Harry incredulous, prompting him to appeal to his father, then Prince Charles, and brother William for intervention.
Double Standards and Family Tensions
The situation intensified when Prince Charles insisted he could not interfere in a government decision, especially one involving taxpayer costs. However, Harry was acutely aware that Kate Middleton had received unofficial guidance from the palace while merely William's girlfriend and qualified for round-the-clock protection immediately upon their engagement.
"One rule for him and another for me, Harry thought," writes Myers, highlighting the perceived double standard. Prince Charles's decision was final, and William's subsequent unwillingness to help sparked a row that ignited what the book describes as a "long-running and ugly feud."
Further Escalation Through Public Statements
The relationship suffered additional damage when Harry issued a brash statement condemning the online coverage Meghan was receiving, without first consulting his father or elder brother. This statement, shared following a "wave of abuse and harassment," served as the first public confirmation of their relationship.
In it, Harry expressed concern for his girlfriend's safety and called out the "racial undertones of comment pieces" and the "outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments." Myers explains that Harry's reaction was furious and swift, bypassing the usual royal hierarchy.
Lasting Impact on Royal Relations
The media's tone may have dampened, but interest in their relationship persisted. Harry was infuriated that his father and brother admonished him for his rash actions, and the tense conversations left him astounded that his own kin refused to offer support.
This period marked an outward shift in their relations, with it becoming increasingly difficult to get them in the same room. Each began giving various excuses as to why they could not, or perhaps would not, be available for meetings together.
William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, published by Ebury, Penguin Random House, is available for pre-order, offering further insights into this and other royal dynamics.
