Prince Harry’s rift with William started when he ‘betrayed’ the Queen with Megxit announcement
HARRY tore open a rift with William when he “betrayed” the Queen by announcing Megxit plans without consulting her.
New book Battle of Brothers claims the relationship was “utterly broken” by Harry’s “disrespect” and the pair have barely spoken since.
The rift could cause immense damage to the monarchy, says the author of the bombshell book.
Robert Lacey believes their unique bond has been shattered by how the Sussexes went about Megxit.
Senior members of the family saw it as a huge mark of disrespect that Harry rushed out his plans on his website and Instagram before agreeing it with the Queen.
Sources say William was stunned at Harry’s decision to throw away his duty and service to the crown, and furious that the Queen had been backed into a corner.
Lacey, author of Battle of Brothers, said: “Some say, ‘Oh, it doesn’t matter. It will blow over’.
“But that’s not what historians will be saying in ten years’ time.
Other claims in the book include:
- Prince William refused to have lunch with the Queen and Prince Harry
- Queen deliberately left Duke and Duchess of Sussex picture off the table during her Christmas speech
- The Royal Family was left 'hopping mad' when the couple trademarked Sussex Royal
- Palace insiders thought Meghan's ITV Africa interview was 'miserably self-indulgent'
“If this breach between the brothers is not healed in some way it will come to stand with the 1936 Abdication crisis and the 1997 death of Diana as one of the traumas that changed the monarchy.”
The author, who wrote a biography of the Queen in the 1970s titled Majesty, believes there is time to heal the rift but that the Palace “is not working in that direction”.
The Sun can reveal that William and Harry have barely spoken in the past few months, other than to wish each other Happy Birthday.
And sources fear little will be said at the unveiling of a statue to their mother Diana at Kensington Palace on what would have been her 60th birthday next July.
A source said of the Megxit rift: “Harry hadn’t even had a meeting with the Queen to talk through their plans before announcing it to the world.
"The monarchy is an institution based on hierarchy and respect — something drummed into those boys growing up.
William loves his brother deeply. This is why it is so hurtful to him
Source
“What Harry did drove a horse and cart through royal protocol — putting their plans on Instagram and their website first.
“There was a moment in January when it could have been sorted out amicably. But this was a betrayal of his grandmother that William has struggled to understand, and their relationship remains strained.
“William loves his brother deeply. This is why it is so hurtful to him.”
The book details how the family were dismayed with Harry and Meghan’s attempts to cash in on their royal titles.
And it will reveal how the Firm was “blindsided” by the Sussexes announcing they were suing newspapers while touring South Africa.
Wills, 38, was distraught when they announced in January they were quitting for a life in Canada.
Harry and Meghan had returned from a winter break on Vancouver Island wanting to sit down with senior royals to try to engineer their way out.
The Queen sent back messages that the family could meet at the end of the month.
But the Sussexes had not told any royals they were to release the information online when it dropped shortly after 6.30pm on January 8.
They said: “After many months of reflection we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.
“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent.
“We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to the Queen, the Commonwealth and our patronages.”
'BLINDSIDED'
An hour later Buckingham Palace replied: “Discussions with the Duke and Duchess are at an early stage.
“We understand the desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”
Dad Charles was described as “incandescent with rage” and William “blindsided”.
Within two days Meghan had returned to Canada to be with baby Archie.
Desperate to keep the couple onside for the monarchy’s sake, William offered to keep things civil.
The Sandringham summit was arranged for Monday, January 13 where Harry would finally speak with the Queen, Charles, William, and their aides.
Harry arrived first, driving into Sandringham at 11.20am. William arrived 15 minutes before the 2pm meeting, which was held in the palace’s Long Library — which used to be a bowling alley.
At the 90-minute talks Harry’s demands were heard in private with only their aides at the table.
Meghan was standing by in Vancouver for a video call which never came.
When the princes left in separate cars shortly before 4pm few realised it would be one of the last times they were in the same room let alone speak to each other.
A statement at 5pm from the Queen said they had “constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family”.
It added: “My family and I are entirely supportive of their desire to create a new life.
Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family
The Queen
“Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life while remaining a valued part of my family.”
It was the last time Harry and William spoke at length as aides and courtiers were left to hammer out the finer points of the Megxit terms.
Five days later on Saturday January 18, Buckingham Palace confirmed “Megxit”.
The Queen said: “Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I’m pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family.
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family.”
Harry and Meghan’s statement, issued by the palace, said the couple were “grateful to Her Majesty and the Royal Family for their ongoing support as they embark on the next chapter of their lives”.
They said they would not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family, and would pay the cost of refurbishing Frogmore Cottage, Windsor, which would remain their UK home.
Within days Harry joined Meghan in Canada and did not speak with William for the next two months.
When they both returned for “farewell” engagements in March there was no scheduled meeting with William and Kate.
The formerly-tight “Fab Four” exchanged only brief nods of the head and mouthed ‘Hello’ at Westminster Abbey for Commonwealth Day Service on March 9.
A source added: “The only time they saw each other was at the Abbey.”
BARELY SPOKEN
The rift has only worsened as William and Kate have been left carrying out royal engagements during the virus pandemic.
Harry and Meghan have continued to make public announcements on their new life including their multi-million-pound Netflix deal.
In August they revealed they had taken out a mortgage on a nine-bed house in Montecito, California.
Days later the Sussexes said they would not be taking any more money from Charles.
Early last month a statement through Buckingham Palace said the Sussexes had made a contribution that covered the necessary renovation costs of Frogmore Cottage.
Insiders say the brothers have barely spoken since January, despite Charles falling ill with Covid-19, and his subsequent recovery.
It is a remarkable split considering how close they were after losing Diana when they were just 12 and 15 years old.
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William once described their relationship as “uniquely bonded”.
But speaking during an ITV documentary in Africa 12 months ago Harry revealed they were now on “different paths”.
Pair once so loving and close
By Arthur Edwards, Sun royal photographer
PRINCE Harry once said in a TV interview that his main role in life was to support his brother when William became our king.
But it seems that since he met Meghan Markle his purpose in life has changed and that promise is broken.
He appears more interested in money-making ventures such as his big Netflix deal.
I remember when he and William were inseparable and totally devoted to one another.
I photographed them as young boys having so much fun on a trampoline at Balmoral.
Later they would play football and you could see the great love between them, despite the crunching tackles on each other.
Being older, William looked out for Harry, helping him avoid the pitfalls he had already faced as a prince growing up outside the cloistered world of palaces and courtiers.
That bond was strengthened when their mother died.
Watching them walking behind Diana’s coffin in 1997, pictured, you would never have thought they would end up not speaking — and it all happened the day after Harry met Meghan Markle.
The Palace Press Office once asked me what they should do if Harry got a girlfriend and I advised issuing a picture of them to “take the pressure off”.
They ignored my advice and Harry and Meghan were hounded by the paparazzi because those first pictures were very valuable.
So Harry was not speaking to William or the media. The seeds of his discontent were sown.
But Harry was a fantastic ambassador when he was representing the Queen and an important member of the royal family.
During the 2012 Jubilee Tour he went to Jamaica and was sensational, running against Usain Bolt, hugging their PM and sporting blue suede shoes to dance with teenagers.
He was fun-loving, kind and compassionate.
Now he’s in Tinseltown, a celebrity among many, and it seems Meghan is making the decisions.
Thank God for William and Catherine who are supporting the Queen and Prince of Wales more than ever.
They have put duty first and kept working, making Zoom calls to the vulnerable and hospital visits to thank key workers.
On the world stage William is already a statesman. It’s clear he will make a fine king.
I hope one day Harry will keep his promise and come back to support the Queen and his father and heal this terrible rift with his brother.
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