In the recent Netflix docuseries *Harry & Meghan*, Prince Harry revealed his profound disappointment and heartbreak over his brother, Prince William, breaking a longstanding agreement they had made. The pact, forged from their shared experiences observing their parents’ offices, was an understanding that their respective teams would never trade negative stories about each other to the press. Harry expressed his deep pain, describing the situation as “heartbreaking” when he discovered that William’s office had allegedly engaged in such behavior, something they had vowed never to do.
The brothers’ rift reportedly began to deepen following Harry and Meghan’s successful 2018 tour of Australia. According to Harry, this success seemingly triggered jealousy within the royal family, particularly towards Meghan, who was seen as overshadowing other family members with her popularity. He suggested that the royal family’s traditional hierarchy might have been threatened, leading to a backlash against them. Harry stated that members who marry into the family, like Meghan, are expected to play supporting roles and not outshine those born into royalty.
Harry further elaborated on the mechanics of how royal press offices manage public perception. He accused these offices of not only leaking but also actively planting stories to manipulate media narratives. The aim, he claimed, was often to deflect negative attention away from their “principal” by offering journalists information on other members of the royal family. This competitive and secretive environment led to situations where, according to Harry, family members could deny knowledge of these actions or claim plausible deniability.
The situation came to a head during a tense family meeting about Harry and Meghan’s future roles within the monarchy. During this meeting, Harry described being “terrified” when William allegedly “screamed and shouted” at him. He also recalled feeling betrayed when a joint statement was issued in January 2020, denying claims that William had “bullied” the Sussexes out of the royal family. Harry stated that he was not consulted about this statement, which deeply hurt Meghan, who felt the palace was more willing to protect William than to tell the truth about their situation.
The fallout from these events, compounded by Harry’s revelations in the docuseries, has only widened the rift between the brothers. The series highlights the complexities and challenges of royal life, especially the media’s role and the internal family dynamics that exacerbate tensions. The release of these details and the subsequent public reaction underscore the ongoing and perhaps irreparable estrangement between Harry and William.
