Prince William had a ‘heartbreaking realisation’ when everything changed with
Prince William reportedly came to a painful conclusion about his relationship with Prince Harry when the Duke of Sussex decided to walk away from royal life, with a new account claiming the future King realised there may be “no turning back.”
Harry and Meghan Markle have now returned to Britain with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, six years after stepping down as senior working royals and building a new life in California.
Their unexpected move has inevitably revived speculation about whether Harry could repair his fractured relationship with William.
But while Harry is said to have spent time with King Charles during recent visits to the UK, there has been little indication of a similar breakthrough with his elder brother.
Royal editor Russell Myers has detailed the brothers’ deteriorating relationship in his book William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, including the moment William reportedly accepted how serious the divide had become.
William Was ‘Intensely Saddened’
According to Myers, William had been more eager than Princess Kate to persuade Harry to remain within the Royal Family.
Kate reportedly took a more pragmatic view, believing the fundamental difference between the brothers as the “heir and the spare” meant Harry was always likely to want something more from his position.
William, however, was said to be deeply affected by his brother’s departure.
“William was intensely saddened at his brother’s decision to quit,” Myers wrote.
“He and Harry had been drifting apart for years, but now he knew deep down that there would be no turning back.”
According to the author, memories of the brothers supporting one another after Princess Diana’s death and growing up under intense public scrutiny became overshadowed by the family division.
Myers wrote that those previously warm memories were now “tarnished by the division at the heart of the family.”
Tensions Began Before Royal Exit
The book argues that problems between William and Harry began well before the Sussexes left Britain.
Myers traces one major period of tension back to the early days of Harry’s relationship with Meghan in 2016, when she faced online abuse, including attacks relating to her biracial heritage.
Harry reportedly demanded action and sought help from royal officials and security teams.
According to Myers, he was told that taxpayer-funded protection would not be provided until after he and Meghan were married.
Harry then appealed to Charles, who was Prince of Wales at the time, and William.
Charles reportedly maintained that he could not intervene in a government decision involving public money.
Harry, however, was said to have compared Meghan’s position with Kate’s experience before marrying William and felt there was a double standard.
“One rule for him and another for me, Harry thought,” Myers wrote.
The dispute allegedly became worse after Harry issued a public statement condemning the treatment Meghan was receiving without first consulting his father or brother.
Myers wrote that Harry acted “furious and swift,” directing Kensington Palace’s communications team to respond.
Charles and William reportedly criticised him for the move.
The tense conversations left Harry “astounded that his own kin were refusing to offer their support,” according to the book.
‘Harder to Get Them in the Same Room’
After those exchanges, Myers claims the brothers became increasingly difficult to bring together.
It reportedly became “harder to get them in the same room,” with both men offering reasons why they could not attend meetings together.
Importantly, the book also says William initially welcomed Meghan.
One source told Myers: “William did find Meghan quite refreshing at first. He was genuinely happy for Harry and only wanted the best for him.”
But as tensions accumulated, William reportedly felt “somewhere down the line” that he had lost his brother.
Harry later brought several private family disputes into the public eye through interviews and his memoir Spare, including his allegation that William pushed him into a dog bowl during an argument about Meghan.
Sources close to William have disputed aspects of Harry’s account.
Now that Harry and Meghan are back in Britain, both Charles and William are reportedly in agreement that the Duke cannot operate under a “half in, half out” royal arrangement.
William and Kate are also said to want no part in renewed family “drama.”
Harry’s move has brought the brothers geographically closer again, but according to Myers’ account, the emotional distance began growing years ago.
For William, the decisive moment may have come when Harry left royal life and he reportedly realised that the brother he had once shared everything with might never truly return.
