Prince Harry Jokes About Brother Dynamics Amid Prince William Rift

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Prince Harry is getting real about the ups and downs of being a sibling.

During a meeting with Declan Bitmead, the winner of the 2025 WellChild Awards on September 8, the Duke of Sussex playfully commented about family dynamics, making a lighthearted joke when he found out that Declan had a younger brother. He jokingly asked, “Does he drive you up the wall?” implying a sense of familiar sibling rivalry or strain, possibly referencing speculations of tension between him and his older brother, Prince William.

“You know what,” Harry continued with a laugh, per Hello! magazine, “siblings.”

In my expertise, when I shared with the esteemed royal that my sibling and I are classmates at the same institution, he casually mentioned that this can occasionally make life a bit more complex.

Certainly, Harry is familiar with the experience of siblings attending the same school, as he and William both went to Eton College in the 1990s.

In my 2023 memoir, “Spare,” I reminisced about Willy asking me to feign our unawareness of each other. You see, over the past two years, Eton had served as his personal retreat. No longer did I haunt him with constant inquiries or attempts to intrude upon his social network. Instead, he was crafting his own destiny, and he wasn’t prepared to relinquish that independence.

According to him, Willy disliked it intensely whenever people assumed that we were inseparable.

Harry additionally stated that his “dearly loved brother” transformed into more of a “longtime adversary” over the past few years, claiming that William once physically pushed him during an intense argument concerning wife Meghan Markle, with whom he has children Archie Harrison, aged 6, and Lilibet “Lili” Diana, aged 4. (Both Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace refrained from commenting on the allegation.)

Harry recounted that the Prince of Wales forcefully grabbed his collar, tearing off his necklace in the process and sending him crashing to the floor. Upon landing, he fell onto a dog’s dish, causing it to shatter, its sharp fragments slicing into his back. For a brief moment, he lay there, disoriented, before gathering himself and ordering the Prince to leave.

Nonetheless, Harry has recently voiced optimism about mending fences with his brother and father, King Charles III, whom he claims has been reluctant to speak with him since he and Meghan stepped down from their roles as senior royals in 2020.

In an interview with the BBC in May, he expressed his desire for reunion with his family, saying that further conflict was no longer worth it.

For more about the fallout between Harry and William, keep reading.

In the book “Spare,” Prince Harry remembers feeling thrilled about Prince William and Kate Middleton meeting Meghan Markle. However, he felt a little disappointed when William supposedly advised him to take it easy, implying something like, “‘She’s an American actress, you know, Harry. Things might get complicated.'” (Harry mentions that these are his recollections of the conversation.)

In October 2016, when he brought his brother to meet his girlfriend, Meghan (who’s known for her hugging), went to give William a hug, but he stepped back. However, as Harry put it, William eventually moved past that moment and exchanged some friendly words with Meghan.

At the initial gathering, Kate wasn’t present, and William mentioned she was occupied with the children. Later in Netflix’s 2022 series Harry & Meghan, Meghan shared a similar incident about a warm embrace issue with Kate during their first encounter in early 2017. Despite this initial hiccup, it wasn’t all frosty: According to Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand in their 2020 book Finding Freedom, Kate encouraged Meghan to contact her anytime, acknowledging that she understood the challenges Meghan was facing as a royal love interest.

Currently, while speculation filled the British media regarding Harry’s multi-month relationship, it wasn’t until November 8, 2016, that Kensington Palace officially confirmed his relationship with Meghan. This announcement, in a statement released by the palace, recognized her as Harry’s girlfriend, criticized the intrusive press for violating Meghan’s privacy, and condemned the racist and sexist remarks aimed at her on social media.

Harry shared in his book, “Spare,” that he received a lot of criticism from his “angry” father and brother regarding a certain statement, apparently due to it portraying them negatively for not speaking out about the media’s harassment towards their significant others.

It was once whispered that Harry’s family may not have been entirely enthusiastic about his initiative. This led Kensington Palace to issue a statement on November 27, confirming that William fully comprehended the privacy situation and backed Prince Harry’s decision to stand by those closest to him.

Initially expressing reservations about Harry’s relationship with Meghan, William later attempted to dissuade Harry from proposing, as suggested by the book “Spare.

Harry was told by William that he was advancing at a rapid pace and it was premature for engagement, questioning whether Harry was fully committed and aware of the challenges ahead.

To which Harry recalled replying, “‘What do you want me to do? Fall out of love with her?'”

In the book “Finding Freedom,” a mutual friend is cited as saying that William aimed to ensure Harry wasn’t taken aback by love or infatuation.

The day before Harry’s wedding, as they appeared like their typical brothers while greeting well-wishers at King Edward’s Gate, William allegedly attempted to call off what Harry thought would be their final bachelor dinner together, mirroring the night before William got married himself, according to the book Spare.

Despite our issues, Harry wrote that he had always felt our deep connection was robust. After sharing tea with the queen and meeting the people, he invited him to dine with him. Harry suggested perhaps spending the night as they had before his wedding, but the man agreed only to join for dinner; however, he wouldn’t be able to stay overnight.

In the book “Spare“, Harry pondered, “Was he feeling regretful for not being my best man? Was he displeased that I’d chosen my old pal Charlie van Straubanzee, a childhood school mate, instead?

According to Harry, it was revealed that William believed and propagated the most sensational stories about Meghan as per the tabloids. On his part, Harry expressed feelings of anger and sorrow due to what he perceived as a lack of family support for their new family member, even after their wedding on May 19, 2018. Matters escalated when William paid a visit one night (with Meghan absent) and their disagreement turned into a heated argument – during which Harry claimed William grabbed him by the collar, causing him to fall.

Harry wrote that he later told his therapist he was proud of himself for not hitting William back.

As an ardent admirer, I’ve noticed that, in “Harry & Meghan,” in “Spare,” and during various interviews, Prince Harry has painted a picture of a tactical, tit-for-tat dynamic between the royal family and the British media.

In 2021, he referred to an unspoken agreement with Oprah Winfrey, where he exhibited particularly kind actions towards specific journalists in return for generally positive media portrayal. This mutually beneficial relationship was crucial for the institution’s ongoing success and good reputation.

Alongside disclosing confidential information, Harry explained in the Netflix series, there were instances of providing false or replacing information as well. This could imply that one family member’s communications team might have been asked to expose damaging information about another family member to suppress a story they wanted kept private. At some point, Harry shared, he and William had made a promise never to use their communication staff for malicious purposes.

Since 2018, when our professional and personal bond began to fray, Harry claims, my brother failed to honor his commitments. “I’d rather be torn apart by the media than play this game or engage in such underhanded dealings,” he stated. And to witness my brother’s office mimic the exact actions we vowed never to repeat, that was truly heart-wrenching for me.

For about ten years, William and Harry operated out of the same office, with Kate joining them after her marriage to William in 2011. In October 2018, rumors emerged that the Sussexes (Harry and Meghan) and the Cambridges were considering a separation of their household staffs.

On November 24, 2018, it was announced that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would be leaving Nottingham Cottage in London, which is near William and Kate’s larger residence at Kensington Palace. Instead, they planned to move to Frogmore Cottage within the royals’ Windsor estate, where they would stay until the arrival of their first child.

The holidays are a time when the royals gather together in a grand display; therefore, it wasn’t until March 24, 2019, that Queen Elizabeth II officially announced the separation news, releasing a statement confirming she had granted permission for Harry and Meghan to establish their own household with an office situated within Buckingham Palace.

Harry noted in Spare the announcement came “soon after” his and William’s dust-up.

In April 2019, the official social media platforms of Sussex Royal became active. Later, in June, it was revealed that they would be separating from The Royal Foundation charitable organization (originally co-founded by the two brothers) and instead, would establish their very own independent charity.

During ITV’s recording of Harry, Meghan, and their 5-month-old son Archie’s trip to Africa in September 2019, Harry conversed with journalist Tom Bradby about the speculations of a disagreement between him and William. He expressed that while much of the gossip is fabricated, as brothers, they have both good and challenging times.

Harry simply admitted, “Life brings unexpected events, but our bond as brothers remains unchanged. For now, our lives are taking separate turns. Yet, I want you to know that I am always there for him, and he for me. Our frequent get-togethers may be less these days due to our schedules, but my affection for him is deep.

The interview aired on October 20, 2019, during the special program titled “Harry & Meghan: An African Journey“. Following this broadcast, with media coverage suggesting that the royals were upset due to the couple’s open sharing, a source from Kensington Palace informed the BBC that Prince William was primarily concerned about his brother and sister-in-law. He appeared to be anxious because they seemed to be in a delicate emotional state.

After a six-week absence from work, prioritizing their family, which excluded celebrating Christmas with the queen and the rest of Harry’s family at Sandringham, the Sussexes declared on January 8, 2020, their intention to “step down as prominent members of the royal family,” move to North America, and strive for financial independence from the monarchy, while simultaneously aspiring to maintain their loyalty and support for the queen.

After hearing reports that the queen was aware her grandson was facing some difficulties but was surprised by a public statement about it, the palace responded by stating there were many unresolved matters concerning Harry and Meghan’s departure. In response, the queen quickly convened an emergency meeting with Charles and William, as her second-in-line grandson, Prince William, has been increasingly participating in important discussions with the monarch recently.

As a devoted sibling, I’ve always shared a bond with my brother, embracing him literally and figuratively throughout our lives. Regrettably, it seems that chapter has closed; we’re distinct entities now. It saddens me deeply. Yet, all we can do, and what I am compelled to do, is to extend my support to them and fervently hope for the day when we’re harmoniously united again, our voices resonating in unison. I yearn for everyone to join the team once more.

On January 13, 2020, Harry and William issued a unified declaration refuting a news story implying that William’s allegedly harsh behavior toward Meghan played a role in their choice to step back. The statement stated, “Despite our explicit denials, an unfounded article appeared today in a British newspaper about the relationship between The Duke of Sussex and The Duke of Cambridge.” For brothers who are deeply committed to mental health matters, using such inflammatory language is offensive and could be detrimental.

Only, according to Harry, that statement was attributed to him without his knowledge.

In Netflix’s Harry & Meghan, he expressed his shock by saying, “I just couldn’t believe it,” about someone using his name without seeking his permission for such a statement. He further revealed that this statement had left Meghan in tears because within four hours they were ready to lie to shield his brother, whereas for three years, they hadn’t been willing to tell the truth to support them both.

Following the agreement on the Sussexes’ departure terms (retaining their duke and duchess titles for personal use but not for commercial purposes, relinquishing security provided by the British government, etc.), Harry and Meghan made their last rounds in London during a week of final appearances in an official capacity.

The most recent event they attended was the Commonwealth Day service on March 9, 2020, at Westminster Abbey. This was the last occasion they were pictured together with Kate and William for over two years.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown measures were implemented a few days later, keeping Harry and Meghan apart on different continents. As a result, their life together officially began on March 31, but it was rather ordinary due to these circumstances.

While it seemed at the time as though Harry and his wife were making a significant splash, akin to tossing buckets of tea into the Pacific Ocean, during their interview with Oprah on CBS that aired March 7, 2021, in retrospect, Harry was still relatively discreet about the state of his relationship with William.

Harry conceded that more would likely be discussed about the topic, acknowledging Oprah’s point that it had already been talked about extensively. “As I’ve mentioned previously,” he said, “William holds a special place in my heart; he’s my brother. We’ve faced tough times together. It’s a bond we share. However, it’s important to note that our life journeys are now taking different directions.

Inquired about their current standing with Oprah, he responded, “Our relationship is on pause right now. With time, I hope everything will heal.

In a manner that highlights the superiority of his current situation, he additionally mentioned that he hadn’t fully grasped feeling ‘confined’ until he met Meghan. Remarkably, he stated that his father and brother are still stuck in this situation, as they can’t escape it. He poignantly added, “They’re unable to depart,” expressing a deep sense of empathy for their predicament.

During their interview with Oprah, Harry and Meghan revealed that at some point, a nameless member of the royal family (neither Queen nor Prince Philip, as Oprah later specified) inquired about the potential color of their first child’s skin.

In an interview response, the palace declared on March 9th that they were deeply sorry to discover the true difficulties Harry, Meghan, and their son Archie have faced in recent years. The concerns raised, particularly those concerning race, are of significant concern. Although some memories may differ, these matters will be addressed confidentially within the family. Regardless, Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always be cherished family members.

On a school visit in London with Kate on March 11, William found it hard to dodge questions regarding the interview. He admitted that he had not yet conversed with Harry about the matter, but planned to do so soon.

When a journalist inquired about rumors suggesting the royals as a “family with racial prejudice”, William firmly stated, “Absolutely, we are not a family that harbors racism.

Outside appearances suggested that Harry and William, much like a duo from times past, mirrored each other during Prince Philip’s funeral on April 17, 2021. Notably, Meghan, who was seven months pregnant at the time, remained in California while Harry made his initial return to the U.K. since their last official engagement together.

However, as Harry explained in the introduction to his book “Spare”, it was following his grandfather’s funeral that he discovered his father and brother simply did not understand or connect with him at all.

Harry penned, “I had sworn not to let this meeting turn into another dispute, but it seemed beyond my control. Pa and Will were determined to argue, and they arrived armed with their grievances…Will in particular was unwilling to listen. After he dismissed my points on multiple occasions, Will and I started exchanging sharp words, repeating some of the same contentious statements we’d made for months, even years.

Later on, according to Harry’s remembrance, Charles stepped in and earnestly implored, “Boys, I beg of you – spare me the sorrow for my remaining years.

William pointed out to Harry that it was him who had departed earlier, and when Harry countered with the knowledge that William understood why he had gone, William firmly denied any such comprehension.

On July 1, 2021, I had the honor to join Prince Harry once more, as we commemorated what would have been our beloved mother, Princess Diana’s, 60th birthday, by dedicating a statue of her in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace.

In response to Oprah’s question about Diana’s potential feelings towards his departure from the royal family, Harry expressed that he believes she would have been deeply upset by the situation and saddened, but her primary concern would always have been our happiness.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry just so happened to be in the United Kingdom for a scheduled event when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s health suddenly worsened and she passed away on September 8, 2022.

In the book titled “Spare“, Harry recounted receiving a call from his father stating that his grandmother was unwell and he needed to rush to Balmoral in Scotland without delay – by himself. As Harry explained later on, Charles felt it necessary to keep things low-key and not have too many people around because no other wives were going to be present, including Kate, which meant Meg shouldn’t either.

Upon his arrival, the queen had already departed, as Harry later penned. Despite having lunch with many members of his family at Balmoral, neither his father nor brother were present to welcome him.

Previously in Windsor, Harry and Meghan reunited with William and Kate for a photo opportunity, consoling mourners near the castle. This was the first time all four had been captured in a photograph together since March 2020.

Instead of news suggesting tension among the royals regarding Harry’s book, “Spare” was met with an unspoken response from the palace.

Harry repeatedly emphasized in various interviews that he wasn’t intentionally damaging his relationship with his family. Instead, he was trying to clear old dust and expose hidden issues so they might truly comprehend what he had endured throughout those years. According to him, his feelings of distress and unresolved trauma dated back many decades, well before Meghan entered the scene.

In his January 8 interview with Bradby on ITV, he expressed uncertainty about the idea that honesty leads to destroyed relationships. He explained, “You see, keeping quiet merely empowers an abuser. Don’t you agree? So I’m struggling to understand how remaining silent could possibly improve things.

As a lifestyle expert, I find myself yearning for reconciliation, but I firmly believe in the importance of accountability. Over time, I’ve learned to make peace with many past events, yet this doesn’t signify that I’m ready to simply forget or overlook them.

In continuation, Harry expressed his desire to find a way to forgive and be forgiven. He voiced his longing to reunite with his father and brother, admitting that at present, he hardly recognized them, just as they might not recognize him in return.

He deeply cherished his family and that love would remain constant, he emphasized. He clarified that whatever actions he took in this book, or anywhere else, were never intended to cause them harm or distress.

Speaking with The Telegraph post the release of ‘Spare’, Harry admitted that he purposely kept a good deal of content restrained in his detailed memoir.

He stated in an article dated January 13th, “There are certain events, particularly involving myself and my brother, as well as my father to some degree, that I prefer remain private. I feel the world may never be able to forgive me if they were made public, since I’m not sure they would ever forgive me.

Initially, the manuscript was 800 pages long, as Harry mentioned. However, they successfully condensed it into a more manageable 416 pages. To put it another way, it could’ve been split into two separate books. The most challenging part of this process was deciding what to remove.

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2025-09-09 01:20