Royal watchers have followed the ups and downs of the British monarchy for years, but a fresh book is pulling back the curtain on one of the biggest family rifts in recent history.
In Russell Myers’ upcoming biography, William and Catherine: The Monarchy’s New Era: The Inside Story, the royal editor for The Mirror dives into how Prince William and Kate Middleton handled Prince Harry’s decision to step away from royal duties back in 2020.
Excerpts from the book, published by outlets like The Mirror and People, show Kate taking a more detached view compared to William’s emotional response. The book is set to be released on March 10, but these insights are already stirring conversation about the ongoing rift.
The core claim centers on the brothers’ long-standing dynamic. Myers explains that Kate approached Harry’s decision with acceptance rather than urgency to change it. This contrasts sharply with William, who felt the loss deeply. The revelations draw from palace insiders and revisit the fallout from “Megxit,” when Harry and Meghan chose to pursue lives partly outside royal duties in North America.
The Key Quote on Kate’s Stance
The book directly addresses Kate’s mindset with this line: “Catherine had less interest than her husband in trying to persuade Harry to stay in his current role.” Myers backs this up by noting her reasoning: “She believed William and Harry’s fundamental differences as the ‘heir and the spare’ had created the inevitability of Harry wanting more from his role than being a bit-part player.”
This perspective frames Kate’s reaction as practical. She saw the structural roles in the monarchy: William as the future king and Harry as the secondary figure, as setting up an inevitable push for Harry to seek independence and greater purpose. Instead of fighting to keep him in place, she focused on what made sense for the family moving forward.
Other quotes highlight the emotional gap. On William, Myers writes: “William was intensely saddened at his brother’s decision to quit.” He adds, “He and Harry had been drifting apart for years, but now he knew deep down that there would be no turning back.
Fond memories of their childhood, from helping each other through the tragedy of their mother’s death, to growing up in the public eye, were now tarnished by the division at the heart of the family.”
These lines capture William’s heartbreak over losing the close bond the brothers once shared, especially after Princess Diana’s 1997 death. Public moments like their joint appearances in the past now feel distant against the backdrop of separate paths.
How Kate Once Tried to Bridge the Gap
The book doesn’t suggest Kate was indifferent from the start. It recalls her earlier role as a connector. For years, she encouraged unity, such as during the 2018 Heads Together mental health initiative launch, where William, Harry, and Kate spoke openly together about their experiences.
She acted as a steady influence, helping smooth interactions between the brothers when tensions simmered.
But Myers notes that by 2020, Kate had reached a limit. She came to see efforts to reunite them as futile amid growing public and private strains.
Events like the 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview, where Harry and Meghan shared family grievances, deepened the divide. The book describes Kate’s growing view that future dealings with the Sussexes required extreme caution, stemming from leaked private details that felt like betrayals.
This shift ties into the “heir and spare” reality Harry himself explored in his 2023 memoir Spare. Kate’s acceptance aligns with recognizing Harry’s need for more than a supporting role, as seen in his work with the Invictus Games and other independent projects since leaving royal duties.
William’s Heartbreak Over His Brother’s Exit
While Kate took a step back, William’s reaction was raw and emotional, per the book. Myers describes him as intensely saddened by Harry’s decision to quit. The brothers had shared so much, from navigating their mother Princess Diana’s death in 1997 to supporting each other through public life. Those fond memories now felt tarnished by the divide, with William sensing no way back.
Excerpts paint William as someone who had hoped for reconciliation but faced reality. The drift had been building for years, accelerated by events like the Sussexes’ Netflix series in 2022, which revisited family conflicts.
Myers notes William’s pain in knowing the brotherhood that once defined them was fracturing irreparably. Public moments underscore this, such as their brief, tense reunion at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, where body language experts noted the distance between them.
Despite the hurt, William pushed forward with his duties. The book credits him with maintaining focus amid the chaos, even as he dealt with his father’s ascension to the throne in 2022. Insiders quoted by Myers emphasize William’s commitment to the monarchy’s future, viewing the split as a painful but necessary evolution.
The Lasting Impact on the Royal Family
Years later, the effects of this divide linger. Myers’ book shows how the 2020 exit reshaped the monarchy, forcing William and Kate to step up as the core of its modern image. They’ve leaned into causes like environmental work through the Earthshot Prize and mental health advocacy, filling the void left by Harry and Meghan.
The revelations also highlight ongoing caution. After the Oprah interview, where Meghan discussed a private exchange with Kate about bridesmaid dresses, Kate felt deeply let down, per the book. This eroded trust further, leading to minimal contact.
Publicly, the families have moved on separately: Harry with his life in California, including philanthropy and media ventures, while William and Kate focus on U.K.-based duties.
Myers’ work reminds us that behind the crowns are real people navigating family drama under a global spotlight. The shocking divide isn’t just about titles; it’s about clashing visions for life in and out of the palace.
As the monarchy enters a new era, this chapter underscores the challenges of balancing tradition with personal freedom.
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