Relations between William and Harry are at an all-time low – but during one heated discussion, the older brother shared some heartfelt words with his younger sibling
Prince Harry’s relationship with Prince William was left in tatters following the Sussexes sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey.
From allegations of racism to claims Kate Middleton had made Meghan cry the week of her wedding, Harry and Meghan made headlines with their shocking account of life inside the royal fold.
The aftermath of the Oprah show was explosive as the royal brothers struggled to find a way through their rift. This was apparent when Harry rejoined his brother and father for the funeral of Prince Philip. According to Harry, the trio were out for a walk near Frogmore Cottage following the service on April 17, 2021 when things got heated.
Writing in Spare, the Duke claimed he was trying to address bullying allegations made against Meghan, but his father and brother ‘weren’t listening.’ William was apparently “really steaming” and grasped at him as he tried to walk away.
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“I waved a hand, disgusted, but he lunged, grabbed my shirt. ‘Listen to me, Harold,”‘ Harry wrote. “I pulled away, refused to meet his gaze. He forced me to look into his eyes. ‘Listen to me, Harold, listen! I love you, Harold! I want you to be happy.”‘ Harry claims he replied: “I love you too…but your stubbornness is extraordinary!”
The Duke said he then tried to pull away, but William allegedly “grabbed him again” and “twisted him” so the pair could maintain eye contact. William then evoked the brother’s so-called ‘secret code’ and swore on Princess Diana’s life that his intentions were genuine.
Harry claims that William then pleaded with him, saying: “Harold, you must listen to me! I just want you to be happy, Harold. I swear I swear on Mummy’s life.”
Harry continued: “He stopped. I stopped. Pa stopped. He’d gone there. He’d used the secret code, the universal password. Ever since we were boys those three words were to be used only in times of extreme crisis.”
He then claimed his brother “wasn’t quite ready to accept defeat” and claimed to be “properly sick and ill” over the tensions between the pair. William allegedly reiterated: “I swear to you now on Mummy’s life that I just want you to be happy.”
Harry claims his “voice broke” and he “softly” told William: “I really don’t think you do.” William then hugged his brother, and told him “I love you.”
It remains to be seen whether Harry will ever reunite with his brother – but royal expert Jennie Bond thinks it’s unlikely. She previously told The Sun : “Deep down, I’m sure William still loves Harry, but I don’t think he can see a way out of the rift that has opened between them. I think William has closed his mind to the prospect of reconciliation with Harry, and I can’t see a time when Meghan would be welcomed back into the bosom of the family – or a time when she would ever want to be welcomed back. I doubt that William thinks about them for more than a fleeting moment – and then he probably tries to blank out those thoughts.”
