The British Royal Family is once again under the spotlight following revelations in a new book about Prince William's reaction to comments made by his brother, Prince Harry, in the Netflix documentary "Harry & Meghan." The docuseries, which aired in December 2022, has stirred controversy, particularly over remarks interpreted as a veiled criticism of Prince William's marriage to Kate Middleton.
In "Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story," set for release on January 18th, author Robert Hardman provides an inside look into the tensions within the Royal Family. According to Hardman, a statement by Prince Harry in the documentary suggested that some members of the royal family marry for conformity rather than love. He implied a distinction between decisions made "with your head, or your heart." This comment was reportedly perceived by Prince William as a direct attack on his wife, Kate Middleton.
"The clear inference that he was talking about his elder brother astonished friends of the family," Hardman writes. He quotes an unnamed friend of the Royal Family: "On top of all the other breaches of trust, here was Harry making a blatant attack on Catherine. For William, this was the lowest of the low."
While some saw Harry's comments as a direct slight against the Princess of Wales, others viewed it as an instance of Prince Harry "shooting his mouth off" with potentially baseless assumptions and allegations. This ambiguity has only added to the existing tension between the brothers.
The book also touches upon Prince William's response to Prince Harry's memoir, "Spare." William was described as "mortified by the casual betrayal of so many fraternal secrets" revealed in the book. Despite the turmoil, neither Prince William nor Kate Middleton have read the memoir in full, instead relying on briefings from aides.
Prince William's stoic approach in the face of these public family rifts was highlighted in the book. "Whatever the rights and wrongs, I hope that people feel I behaved properly in keeping my counsel," he reportedly said, according to a royal aide.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Kate Middleton recently underwent abdominal surgery at The London Clinic and is expected to be out of the public eye for several months. Prince William is said to be taking a reduced role in his royal duties to be by her side during her hospital stay and early recovery at their home in Windsor.
The new revelations in Hardman's book shed light on the deeply personal and often strained dynamics within the British Royal Family. These insights come at a time when the monarchy is navigating through a period of transition and heightened public scrutiny. As the world awaits the release of "Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story," the public's fascination with the royal family's private affairs continues to grow, reflecting the enduring allure and complexity of Britain's longest-standing institution.
