A Royal Rift That Won’t Go Away
What started as whispers of tension between the Sussexes and the Waleses has over the years grown into one of the most publicized family feuds in modern royal history.
At the heart of it all lies Prince Harry’s memoir Spare, which opened the floodgates to stories of disagreements, awkward exchanges, and even explosive rows that shook the foundations of the so-called “Fab Four.”
Harry’s Memoir Unveils Private Family Moments
In Spare, Harry claimed that both he and William once pleaded with their father not to marry Camilla.
But perhaps more telling were the stories about clashes between Meghan and Kate.
One incident described in detail took place just weeks after Harry and Meghan returned from their African honeymoon in 2018.
The couple were invited for tea and biscuits at William and Kate’s Kensington Palace flat.
What began as a polite catch-up quickly spiraled into yet another conflict.
According to Harry, Meghan had joked about Kate having “baby brain” after giving birth, which William instantly branded “rude.” The heated exchange ended with Meghan telling him to keep his finger out of her face.
Meghan’s Version of Events
Harry defended Meghan in his book, saying she never meant to cause offense and even asked Kate to let her know if she ever did so she could make amends.
Meghan herself later told Oprah Winfrey that the narrative in the press had been flipped, insisting it was actually Kate who made her cry, not the other way around.
She added that Kate had since apologized and even brought her flowers.
The Infamous Bridesmaid Dress Dispute
The tension between the duchesses had reportedly already surfaced during wedding preparations.
Early reports suggested Meghan reduced Kate to tears over Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress.
Later accounts claimed the disagreement was over protocol—specifically whether Charlotte should wear tights.
Other sources alleged Meghan wanted a different hemline, with her friend Jessica Mulroney siding with her.
What became known as “Bridesmaid Dress-Gate” continued to resurface for years.
Meghan, however, downplayed the row in her Oprah interview, saying Kate owned up to her part and that it wasn’t fair to drag her through the mud.
Brothers in Conflict
Beyond the women, Harry painted a picture of an increasingly fractured bond with William.
He described his brother as his “archnemesis,” recalling a physical altercation where William allegedly grabbed him by the collar, broke his necklace, and shoved him to the floor during an argument about Meghan.
Harry also revealed a tense moment after Prince Philip’s funeral, when King Charles reportedly stood between his sons, begging them not to make his “final years a misery.”
Failed Attempts at Reconciliation
Over the years, both sides have made attempts to bridge the gap, but trust remains fragile.
Harry has spoken of wanting reconciliation, especially given his father’s health.
Still, sources close to William suggest he feels his brother has chosen public exposure over private resolution too many times.
Meetings between representatives of the Sussexes and the King’s communications team earlier this year were seen as a small step forward.
But William was said to have flatly rejected an invitation to meet Harry during his recent visit to London.
A Feud That Shows No Signs of Ending
When Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior royals in 2020, many hoped they would find a middle ground with the family.
Instead, the years that followed brought a string of revelations—from allegations of racism and unconscious bias to Harry’s detailed memoir.
King Charles is reportedly saddened but open to reconciliation.
William, however, remains far more guarded, unwilling to risk being pulled back into the headlines.
For now, the rift between the brothers, and by extension their wives, seems as raw as ever.