Prince Harry In ‘Painful Place’ Over What He Wrote About Kate Middleton In Memoir, Claims Author

Apr 10, 2024

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced to the world on Jan. 8, 2020, that they would step down as senior working members of the British royal family in a move popularly dubbed “Megxit.” By spring of 2020, the transition was complete, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were no longer carrying out royal duties. 

Prince Harry is King Charles III and the late Princess Diana’s youngest son. His older brother is Prince William. He now lives in the United States with Meghan and their two children. Although he and Meghan stepped down from their duties as senior royals, they have not shunned the spotlight, appearing at public charity events and pursuing their own creative and philanthropic ventures, many under their own brand, Archewell.

In the beginning, Harry’s relationship with Meghan seemed like a modern-day fairy tale that captured the world’s attention. The couple met on a blind date in July 2016 and immediately hit it off. By November 2016, news of their relationship had broken, and the couple faced intense media scrutiny. Meghan faced particular attention due to her status as an American actress and her biracial background.

On Nov. 27, 2017, Prince Harry and Meghan announced their engagement. The news was celebrated around the world, with Meghan becoming the first American to be officially engaged to a British royal. The couple married on May 19, 2018, at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

However, the tension between Prince Harry, Meghan, and the royal family became a prominent aspect of their relationship, exacerbated by media coverage. And, in light of Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis, Harry’s relationship with his sister-in-law is once again under the spotlight. 

Since announcing their relationship, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were subjected to intense media scrutiny. Tabloids and paparazzi often invade their privacy and publish sensationalized stories. 

Meghan, in particular, faced racist and sexist commentary from certain sections of the press, highlighting the challenges she encountered as a biracial woman entering the British royal family. Meghan’s background as an American actress and her outspoken nature also clashed with traditional royal norms, leading to criticism and clashes within the institution.

In an explosive, high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Meghan recounted royal family concerns about how dark her first-born son’s skin would be before his birth, among others. The palace responded to the accusations, saying:

“The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always be much-loved family members.” 

It was later claimed that an initial draft of the statement was amended to include the line “some recollections may vary” at Kate Middleton’s request, who wanted it “toughened up.”

The dynamics between Kate and Meghan were widely covered by the media. 

Reports have suggested there were disagreements or differences in personalities and approaches between the two. The media has pitted Kate and Meghan against each other using pretenses that ranged from their fashion choices to their work ethic to their family dynamics. The foursome was last seen together during a surprise walkabout in Sandringham following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

In his memoir “Spare,” which was released in January 2023, Harry also related two clashes between his Meghan and Kate. 

In “Spare,” Harry described how Kate had made Meghan cry over a tailoring blunder. For Meghan’s wedding, the flower girls, including Kate’s daughter Princess Charlotte, were set to wear “French couture” gowns, yet none had been fitted for these dresses. Harry wrote that he found Meghan “sobbing on the floor” after receiving a text from Kate, saying how the dress was so baggy and ill-fitting that Charlotte cried when trying it on at home. However, Harry wrote that “Kate hadn’t meant any harm” and arrived at their home the next day with flowers and a card to apologize.     

Harry also detailed another incident in which Kate “grimaced” when Meghan asked to use her lipgloss and visibly shuddered as his wife used her finger to put it on her lips.

Although it seems there is little love lost between the Sussexes and Wales’, Harry and Meghan did issue a statement after Kate’s cancer diagnosis, saying they wished “health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.” 

However, some are of the opinion that Harry must be feeling intense guilt following Kate’s cancer reveal. Author Tessa Dunlop surmised that Harry must be in a “painful place” and that he regrets his treatment of Kate.

“When you do discover that your sister-in-law has cancer and you’ve written stuff that can’t be retracted, that’s quite a painful place to be in,” Dunlop said.

“They deliberately criticize the monarchy (and then offer) themselves as an alternative to monarchy. So then when the monarchy is in trouble, we do kind of make a comparison. Can Harry and Meghan really hold themselves off as the caring example now? They’re certainly going to have to be careful of their timing with any releases so that it doesn’t look opportunistic.”

How do you view the dynamics between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton? Do you think Harry should offer Kate an apology? Let us know, and then pass this on to friends and family, too.