The Duke of Sussex has reportedly claimed he was physically attacked by his brother over his marriage to Meghan Markle.
In a leaked extract of Prince Harry's autobiography, Spare, he alleged the confrontation took place at his London home in 2019 and left him with a visible injury to his back, according to The Guardian. The publication was able to obtain a copy of the book before its release despite pre-launch security.
It is said Prince William grabbed his brother by the collar and ripped his necklace before knocking him to the floor. Harry further claimed William called Meghan "difficult", "rude" and "abrasive" - comments which the younger brother said parroted "the press narrative" about his wife.
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The pair came together to discuss "the whole rolling catastrophe" of their relationship and struggles with the press but when William arrived at Harry's home on the grounds of Kensington Palace, he was already "piping hot".
The Guardian's report said: "After William complained about Meghan, the duke writes, Harry told him he was repeating the press narrative and that he expected better, But William, Harry says, was not being rational, leading to the two men shouting over each other.
"Harry then accused his brother of acting like an heir, unable to understand why his younger brother was not content to be a spare."
The two exchanged insults before William claimed he was simply trying to help his brother but Harry found this incredulous, which only angered the Prince of Wales further.
In his book, Harry said: "(William) called me another name, then came at me. It all happened so fast. So very fast. He grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and he knocked me to the floor. I landed on the dog's bowl, which cracked under my back, the pieces cutting into me. I lay there for a moment, dazed, then got to my feet and told him to get out."
Harry wrote William urged him to hit back but he refused. Shortly afterwards though, the elder brother apologised. William then told his brother not to tell Meghan about the confrontation, as Harry said: "You mean that you attacked me?" William added: "I didn't attack you, Harold."
Harry obtained bruises on his back which were later discovered by his wife, Meghan. Earlier in the memoir, the duke reportedly elaborates on the story behind the book's title, Spare. He recounts what the King said to Diana, Princess of Wales on the day of his birth.
His father, Harry claims, spoke flippantly to the then-Princess of Wales and said: "Wonderful! Now you've given me an heir and a spare - my work is done."
The duke's claims come after the release of a teaser trailer from an ITV interview in which Harry said he wants his father and brother back. The interview, due to be released on Sunday, will be broadcast two days before Spare is published around the world.
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