A new book reveals that Prince Harry was "infuriated" when King Charles refused to include Meghan Markle on the royal family payroll, sparking tension between the father and son.
In his latest book, "Our King," royal correspondent Robert Jobson claims that King Charles broke the news to Prince Harry in 2016, shortly after the prince announced his plans to marry the American actress. The Daily Mail obtained an excerpt from the book, in which Prince William questioned his younger brother's decision, asking, "Are you sure, Harold?"
Jobson, who has also co-authored two books on Princess Diana with her former bodyguard Ken Wharfe, wrote that instead of congratulating Harry, then-Prince Charles explained that he couldn't afford to pay Meghan as a royal family member, as he was already supporting Camilla and William's growing family. This revelation reportedly "infuriated Harry" and led to one of the first falling-outs between the father and son.
The book states that Charles stopped taking Harry's calls after his son swore at him and repeatedly requested funds. "When the Queen asked Charles why he hadn't given in, he told her that he wasn't a bank," Jobson wrote.
Jobson speculates that the incidents Harry and Meghan have complained about publicly, such as the pre-wedding dispute between Meghan and Kate Middleton, were magnified in their minds due to King Charles' initial refusal to accept Meghan as a working, paid royal.
The book also claims that Harry sensed William's disapproval of Meghan and believed his brother considered their relationship a "whirlwind affair." Meghan reportedly found Kate "stand-offish" from their first meeting, leading to an uneasy relationship between the sisters-in-law.
According to Jobson, even Queen Elizabeth became disillusioned with the couple's behavior, particularly after their 2021 interview with Oprah in which they criticized the monarchy and accused the family of rejecting Meghan for racist reasons. Jobson wrote that the late Queen described the Sussexes' conduct as "quite mad" and eventually believed that Harry's love for his wife was "clouding his judgment."
Despite the apparent tensions, royal watchers may see the couples reunite at King Charles' coronation, scheduled for May 6. Harry and Meghan are reportedly finalizing plans to travel from California to London for the historic event.