In a dramatic turn of events that highlights the widening rift within the British royal family, it has been revealed that Prince William forcibly separated from his younger brother, Prince Harry, following an explosive clash over allegations of bullying against Meghan Markle.
These allegations, which claimed that Meghan's behavior had driven at least one royal staff member to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), reportedly pushed Prince William to a breaking point, leading to a drastic decision to distance himself from Harry and Meghan.
The revelations come from historian Robert Lacey's book, Battle of Brothers, which explores the deteriorating relationship between the once-close siblings. According to Lacey, the situation reached a critical juncture when Jason Knauf, who served as the brothers' joint communications secretary, compiled a dossier of complaints from palace staff alleging mistreatment by Meghan. These claims, which Meghan and Harry have strongly denied, painted a picture of a "toxic" environment that left William "appalled" and deeply concerned for the well-being of the staff.
"William threw Harry out," a friend of the prince is quoted as saying in Lacey's book, reflecting the severity of the fallout. The elder prince, who had always viewed royal staff as "colleagues to be cherished," was reportedly horrified by the contents of the dossier, which he received from his private secretary, Simon Case.
The situation escalated to the point where William demanded an immediate division of their households, a move that eventually led to Harry and Meghan's departure from London and their ultimate decision to step back from royal duties entirely.
The confrontation between the brothers was described as "fierce and bitter," with Harry reportedly hanging up on William during a heated phone call. However, William, determined to address the situation, sought out his brother in person to confront him about the allegations face-to-face. Lacey's account suggests that Harry was deeply hurt that his brother would believe the accusations against Meghan, while William felt validated in his long-standing concerns about her influence within the royal family.
The tension between the brothers had been building long before this incident, with Lacey noting that their relationship had already soured significantly by the time Harry and Meghan embarked on their tour of Australia and the South Pacific in late 2018. During this period, Meghan's interactions with the staff reportedly became a source of contention, and William's suspicions about her intentions only intensified.
One particularly damning account from a Kensington Palace staffer, quoted in the book, describes Meghan as "a complete narcissist and sociopath" who created an environment so toxic that it led to the formation of a "Sussex Survivors' Club" among those who had worked for the couple. The staffer's testimony, combined with Knauf's dossier, solidified William's resolve to distance himself and the royal institution from what he saw as a destabilizing influence.
Despite the public appearance of unity during royal engagements, the brothers were reportedly no longer on speaking terms by the time Harry and Meghan returned from their tour. This tension culminated in the decision to establish a separate office at Buckingham Palace, officially announced in March 2019, although the seeds of division had been sown much earlier.
The repercussions of these events have been profound, with the relationship between the brothers remaining strained to this day. In their highly publicized interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry and Meghan touched on their struggles within the royal family but did not directly address the specific bullying allegations. Meghan, however, did refute claims that she had made Kate Middleton cry, instead alleging that it was Kate who had caused her distress.
As for William, Lacey's book suggests that his actions were driven by a deep-seated belief that Meghan was fundamentally opposed to the royal system-a belief that ultimately led to the permanent separation of the once inseparable brothers. While the public may never fully know the details of the conversations that occurred behind closed doors, the impact of these events continues to shape the future of the British monarchy.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have declined to comment on the allegations, maintaining their stance that Meghan was the victim of a "smear campaign" designed to damage her reputation within the royal family.
