Prince William and Prince Harry's royal family feud deepened after the Duke of Sussex published his explosive memoir Spare, in which he made a number of claims about his brother.
As heir to the throne, Prince William has always ensured the future of the monarchy remains central to everything he does. From his public engagements to the causes he champions, the Prince of Wales has been acutely aware throughout his entire life of the immense responsibility that falls upon him.
William and Catherine's family priorities
He and his wife, Catherine, have been resolute in raising their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — as normally as possible, with the couple admitting they frequently enjoy thoroughly relatable activities together as a family.
Catherine has taught the children to cook, and the family cherish time spent outdoors and away from the public eye. William and Catherine also ensured their children remained their absolute priority as the Princess of Wales navigated her cancer journey.
Now, with William's younger brother Prince Harry having returned to the UK alongside his wife Meghan Markle and their children Archie and Lilibet, the Prince and Princess of Wales are reportedly determined to sidestep any "drama", reports the Daily Star.
Harry and Meghan's return to Britain
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stunned the nation six years ago when they stepped back from their roles as senior working royals. In 2020, the couple relocated to Montecito in California, with the intention of achieving financial independence.
Following their departure from royal life, the pair participated in several high-profile interviews, most notably sitting down with Oprah Winfrey to discuss their experiences as working members of the Royal Family. The couple also starred in their own Netflix series, Finding Freedom, while Prince Harry released his memoir, Spare, containing several allegations directed at the royal family.
Now, however, Harry and Meghan have chosen to return to Britain, residing in a private, non-royal property on the outskirts of London, with their children set to attend British schools.
Frosty dynamic between the brothers
Harry is understood to have made progress in repairing his relationship with his father, King Charles, during previous trips back to the UK, though the strained dynamic between the two royal brothers is thought to remain as frosty as ever.
William and Charles are also reported to be in "complete agreement" that Harry cannot have a 'half in, half out' role within the royal family and he will not be resuming his royal duties.
Close friends of William and Catherine have revealed that while they "cannot forgive" the Sussexes for their allegations against the royal family during their time in America, they remain determined to "look forward to the future".
Claims in Spare and the response
Among the claims Harry made about his brother in Spare was that the pair came to blows over his relationship with Meghan. Harry alleges that William arrived at his former residence at Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace, following accusations that Meghan had been "abrasive" and "difficult" towards royal household staff.
Harry claims William grabbed him by the collar, knocked him to the floor, which ripped his necklace, and caused a dog bowl that Harry landed on, to crack under his back. William has never publicly addressed the allegations, yet in his book William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, Mirror royal editor Russell Myers cites an insider who describes the claims surrounding the physical confrontation as "massively overblown".
Those close to the Prince of Wales maintain that Harry's version of events — in which William confronted his younger brother over Meghan's alleged treatment of palace staff — amounted to a "cheap shot".
A source quoted in the book states: "It was a cheap shot [from Harry] to present such an argument. Tensions were running very high, and yes, there certainly were cross words exchanged that on reflection were regrettable, but the prince [William] is adamant there was no physical violence."
Notwithstanding the bitter rift between the two brothers, the book reveals that William was "deeply saddened" by Harry's exit from the Royal Family. Catherine, by contrast, had come to the conclusion that she "could do no more to bring the brothers together" — despite previously serving as a "voice of reason" throughout the breakdown of their relationship — and had considered Harry's departure from both the Firm and the UK as "inevitable".
