The Duke of Sussex rejected a meeting with his brother the Prince of Wales in an attempt to ‘heal’ their rift.
According to a new book, Prince Harry prevented the meeting from happening with a blunt two-word response even though the former Duke of Cambridge was keen to meet him.
Their ‘frosty’ treatment toward each other reportedly started when William became concerned over Harry’s fast-developing relationship with Meghan Markle before the couple tied the knot in 2018.
Only months before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from their royal duties, Harry told ITV’s Tom Bradby that he and Meghan were ‘struggling’ with pressures of life as senior royals.
He also revealed that he and William were experiencing ‘good days’ and ‘bad days.’
New royal book ‘Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown’ claims that after the interview was broadcast, William reached out to Harry.
The Duke of Sussex initially agreed but immediately turned him down after becoming concerned that their meeting would be leaked by palace staff.
In an extract from the book, royal author Valentine Low said: “The day after the documentary aired, William WhatsApped his brother to ask if he could come and see him.
“Initially, Harry was in favor. Then he spoke to his brother again and asked him whom he would tell. William explained that he’d have to clear his schedule, which would mean telling his private secretary.
“At that point, Harry told him: Don’t come.”
Harry was concerned that his brother’s team would leak the meeting to the Press that “he would rather not see his brother than risk it getting into the papers.”
The siblings were reunited after the death of their grandmother, the Queen, and carried out a joint appearance outside Windsor Castle to view floral tributes laid outside the gates.
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