Prince Harry's allegations of having a 'fight' with Prince William were 'massively overblown' as it never actually got physical, it has been claimed in a new book.
The Duke of Sussex famously alleged that he was physically attacked by his brother, the Prince of Wales, in 2019, in an extract published in his memoir, Spare. The confrontation reportedly took place at Nottingham Cottage after William was said to have complained about Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, and called her "rude" and "abrasive".
© Getty ImagesHowever, sources have claimed in a new book by The Mirror's Royal Editor, Russell Myers, William And Catherine: The Inside Story, that the fight was nowhere near as serious as initially portrayed.
Myers writes: "At the beginning of 2019, William arranged to see his brother at his home to question him directly over Meghan’s behaviour towards palace staff. While William’s account of what happened that day has never been heard, sources close to the Prince of Wales insist that the Duke of Sussex’s recollection of events was 'massively overblown'."
In addition, Myers cites one source as saying: "It was a cheap shot [from Harry] to present such an argument. Tensions were running very high, and yes, there certainly were cross words exchanged that on reflection were regrettable, but the prince [William] is adamant there was no physical violence."
What has Harry claimed about the fight with William?
During the exchange, Harry told William he was "parroting the press narrative" and that he had expected better from him. Now, one source tells Myers that this was a "ridiculous" claim and that William and Kate were just sticking up for the working environment of their staff.
© Getty ImagesIn Spare, Harry also claimed that the altercation left him with physical injuries to his back. He wrote: "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 also alleged that William urged him to hit back, but he refused. He said William told him not to tell Meghan about the confrontation and told him, "I didn't attack you, Harold." Harry wrote that former Suits actress Meghan "wasn't that surprised, and wasn't all that angry… she was terribly sad" when he told her about what had happened.
A divide between two brothers
Prince Harry and Prince William are currently estranged after a growing divide following the former's exit from the royal family. The gulf between the brothers grew following the release of Harry and Meghan's Netflix docu-series, Harry & Meghan, in 2022, and the publishing of Spare at the start of 2023.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThey are last known to have been in the same room at the funeral of their uncle, Lord Fellowes, in 2024. However, they are believed not to have spoken or sat near one another. While Harry has made several to the UK recently, there have been no signs of personal contact between him and William.
In fact, during his July visit alongside wife Meghan and their children Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, William was busy at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park, while Harry and his family met up with his estranged father, King Charles.
An apparent rift
Author and royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail last week that the monarch and his heir must work together should Prince Harry visit the UK again.
© Getty ImagesThere is concern that conflict over how to deal with the Duke of Sussex could "overshadow" the positive work the monarchy is doing "in the media".
Despite a positive reunion with his father, Harry's relationship with his older brother is less cordial, according to reports, with the pair no longer on speaking terms.
Conflict of interest between Charles and William could pose "disastrous" consequences for the pair and the future of the whole family, Richard said.
Richard believes William's disdain for his "wayward" brother was apparent from the fact that he spent the day playing polo on the same day that Harry and Meghan reunited with Charles.
