Prince Harry Felt ‘Second to William’ Long Before Royal Fallout, Author Claims

The fractured relationship between Prince William and Prince Harry may have played out publicly in recent years, but according to royal author Christopher Andersen, the tension between the brothers had been building long before Meghan Markle entered the royal family.

Speaking in a recent interview with Page Six, Andersen claimed the tension between the brothers could be traced all the way back to childhood.

Andersen added that it was “made very clear” to Harry that “he was lesser than,” and that “left a real mark on them and really kind of doomed their relationship, ultimately.” The issue of being treated differently inside the royal family was also addressed by Harry in his memoir Spare, where he described the contrast between his life and William’s while growing up in Kensington Palace.

“My half of the room was far smaller, less luxurious,” Harry wrote. “I never asked why. I didn’t care. But I also didn’t need to ask.” Harry also detailed moments where he believed rivalry had shaped their relationship as adults. In the memoir, he claimed William “appeared supremely irritated” after hearing about plans for the Invictus Games, the sporting competition Harry later launched for wounded veterans.

According to Harry, William’s reaction reflected the growing tension between them. While public attention later focused heavily on Markle’s arrival in the royal family, Andersen suggested the relationship was already fragile before that point.

Still, Harry’s relationship with Meghan reportedly became another source of friction between the brothers. In Spare, Harry described an argument involving negative press coverage about Meghan that allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation.

Harry claimed William pushed him to the ground during the dispute. The fallout between the brothers has since become a widely discussed split within the royal family, with reports suggesting they have barely spoken in recent years. Amid the tension, Catherine, Princess of Wales, widely known as Kate Middleton, was reportedly one of the few people trying to bridge the gap.

Andersen told Page Six that Kate often attempted to “get them back together.” One moment frequently referenced by royal watchers came after Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021.

Cameras captured Kate walking alongside William before quietly stepping aside as Harry joined them, allowing the brothers to speak privately. “She wanted them to make amends,” Andersen said. Representatives for both princes reportedly did not respond to requests for comment.