Prince William's Grief Over Harry's 'Paranoid' Shift Revealed in New Biography
A brand new joint biography of the Prince and Princess of Wales, penned by Mirror royal editor Russell Myers, provides explosive insight into the dramatic breakdown of Prince Harry and Prince William's once inseparable relationship. The book, titled William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, offers the first detailed account of the future King's perspective, drawing on exclusive access to palace insiders and sources close to the Waleses.
William's Deep Concern and Sense of Loss
For years, Prince William and Prince Harry appeared completely united, with the Duke of Sussex also sharing a close bond with Princess Kate. However, the last few years have witnessed a total collapse in relations between the brothers. While Harry has openly shared his version of events through his memoir Spare and a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the famously private William has remained silent until now.
The biography reveals William's deep concern for his younger brother and his struggle to pinpoint an exact moment when their relationship changed forever. A source close to the future King told Myers, "He felt as though somewhere down the line, perhaps it is impossible to even say when, that he lost his brother. He became paranoid, angry, obsessive and firmly rooted in the past."
The Impact of Harry and Meghan's Royal Exit
Though Harry and Meghan formally stepped back from royal life in 2020, tensions were simmering behind closed doors long before. Harry has claimed strains began around his 2018 wedding, but William's perspective suggests a more gradual erosion. A key moment highlighted in the book is the 2019 royal tour to Southern Africa, documented in an ITV film with Tom Bradby, where Meghan admitted struggling and Harry said they were on "different paths."
This documentary made William and Kate realise how much had changed. Despite William's attempts to help, he felt Harry had grown paranoid. An insider noted, "There's no doubt, at that time at least, there was a lot of love and support available for Harry." The book also sheds light on William's initial positive view of Meghan, with a source saying, "William did find Meghan quite refreshing at first. He was genuinely happy for Harry and only wanted the best for him."
Broader Royal Revelations and Personal Challenges
Myers' biography, the first joint work on William and Kate in over a decade, delves beyond the brothers' rift. It provides context to major royal stories, including Harry and Meghan's shock exit and controversies surrounding Prince Andrew. The book claims William and Kate were willing to challenge the late Queen and King Charles by pushing for a stronger stance against the disgraced former duke.
Additionally, it explores the personal challenges faced by the Wales family, such as Kate's health issues, while living under intense public scrutiny. Myers commented, "The diagnoses of the Princess of Wales and the King within days of one another created the most unprecedented period in modern royal history. This book delves into the deeply personal experience of both Prince William and the princess."
William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, published by Ebury, Penguin Random House on 26 February, is available for pre-order now, offering unprecedented insights into the monarchy's inner workings.
