Why Prince Harry and Prince William’s Bond Was Reportedly Falling Apart Long Before Meghan Markle

Prince Harry and Prince William’s strained relationship may not have started with Meghan Markle after all. According to royal author Christopher Andersen, years of rivalry, unequal treatment, and simmering resentment had already created deep cracks in the brothers’ bond long before the Duchess of Sussex entered the picture.

For years, many royal watchers blamed Meghan Markle for the collapse of Prince William and Prince Harry’s once-close relationship.

However, royal author Christopher Andersen claims the brothers’ tension began decades earlier and was rooted in their upbringing within the monarchy.

A Lifelong Rivalry Between the Royal Brothers

Andersen, author of "KATE! The Courage, Grace, and Power of the Woman Who Will Be Queen," discussed the brothers’ complicated relationship during an exclusive interview with Page Six.

“People didn’t really acknowledge the fact that there was all this tension between Harry and William ever since they were small children, wrestling in the back of the car,” he said.

According to Andersen, Prince Harry grew up fully aware that he would always rank behind his older brother in the royal hierarchy. As the younger son, Harry allegedly struggled with constantly being viewed as secondary to William.

The author claimed this dynamic deeply affected Harry and permanently shaped their relationship as brothers.

Prince Harry Addressed the Divide in 'Spare'

Prince Harry also explored these feelings in his memoir, "Spare." In the book, he described the differences in how he and Prince William were treated while growing up inside Kensington Palace.

For example, Harry recalled that William was given the better bedroom. “My half of the room was far smaller, less luxurious,” Harry wrote. “I never asked why. I didn’t care. But I also didn’t need to ask.”

Harry also described another moment in "Spare" that reflected the tension between them. He claimed William looked “supremely irritated” when Harry first shared the idea for the Invictus Games, the sporting event he later founded for wounded veterans. Harry wrote that he believed the reaction stemmed from the brothers’ long-running “rivalry.”

Meghan Markle Reportedly Worsened Existing Tensions

While Andersen insists the brothers’ relationship had been fragile for years, he acknowledged that things deteriorated even further after Prince Harry began dating Meghan Markle.

In "Spare," Harry detailed an alleged confrontation with William over press coverage involving Markle. According to Harry, the argument became physical.

Harry claimed that William, who was “piping hot,” lunged at him, grabbed him by the collar, and knocked him to the floor. Harry wrote that he landed on a dog bowl, which cracked beneath him and left cuts on his back.

The revelation became one of the most talked-about moments from Harry’s memoir and fueled ongoing speculation about the depth of the rift between the brothers.

Princess Catherine Has Allegedly Tried to Reconcile Them

Despite years of reported silence between Prince William and Prince Harry, Andersen claimed that William’s wife, Princess Catherine, has attempted to help repair the relationship.

One notable moment allegedly occurred during Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021. Andersen pointed to the scene where Catherine briefly stepped aside as William and Harry walked together following the service.

The move allowed the brothers to speak privately for a short time, sparking speculation that reconciliation efforts were quietly underway.

However, there has been little public evidence that the brothers have rebuilt their relationship since then.

Prince William’s Temper Has Also Been Discussed

At the same time, Andersen said William is often described as “kind and considerate to a fault” toward staff members, strangers, and his wife and children. Still, a former Highgrove staffer alleged that William sometimes raises his voice during disagreements with King Charles III.

“When he gets frustrated, he does resort to shouting” at the king, the former staffer claimed. “William has a huge, booming voice,” the staffer continued. “Much louder than his father’s, so it’s not something you soon forget.”

According to Andersen, Prince Harry has also experienced that side of his older brother over the years.

Although Meghan Markle’s arrival in the royal family intensified public attention on the feud between Prince William and Prince Harry, Christopher Andersen believes the problems between the brothers began long before that.

From childhood rivalry to feelings of unequal treatment, the royal author argues that the cracks in their relationship had existed for years before becoming impossible to ignore.