Rumours of tensions between Prince Harry and Prince William have been reported for a number of months with the brothers' previously close relationship said to be under strain. Now, claims being made by a royal expert in a new book point to offers of a 'secret summit' to heal the rift being rejected.
The Mirror reported that an attempt by the new Prince of Wales to reach out to his brother came several months before 'Megxit', following a worrying television interview given by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a tour of South Africa. The couple famously told ITV's Tom Bradby back in 2019 that they were "struggling" with some of the pressures of life as working royals, with a bombshell moment revealing that their sibling bond was experiencing "good days" and "bad days".
While Royal commentator Valentine Low claims that William was said to be "furious" with his brother's comments at the time, he was eager to talk things over by arranging a secret meeting in the days that followed. Harry was said to be open to the offer initially, but then turned him down after growing concerned that news of their meeting would be leaked by royal staff.
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In an extract from his new book 'Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind The Crown' seen by MailOnline, Valentine writes: "The day after the documentary aired, William WhatsApped his brother to ask if he could come and see him. This put Harry and Meghan into a spin. What should they do?
"Initially, Harry was in favour. Then he spoke to his brother again, and asked him whom he would tell. William explained that he'd have to clear his schedule, which would mean telling his private secretary. At that point, Harry told him: Don't come." The author says that Harry was 'so concerned' that William's team would leak the visit to the press that he would rather not see his brother.
The book adds that the failure to meet face-to-face came as "heartbreaking" news to people close to both brothers, and highlighted how some members of The Firm had come to find it difficult to communicate directly amid high levels of scrutiny.
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