Tensions continue to simmer between the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, and his younger brother, the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, over the latter's departure from the royal family, a royal biographer alleges.
Christopher Andersen, renowned journalist and chronicler of royal affairs, inferred that the depiction of the elder brother in Prince Harry's explosive memoir "Spare," published this January, could have further exacerbated the Duke of Cambridge's disgruntlement. However, this assertion could not be independently verified by International Business Times.
Andersen conveyed to Fox News Digital, "William is still simmering with resentment over 'Megxit,' not to mention Harry's unflattering portrait of him in 'Spare.'" He further explained, "In the book, Harry characterizes his elder brother as his 'archnemesis' – to use Harry's terminology – a reproachful, domineering, brooding and occasionally even aggressive figure."
In "Spare," Prince Harry portrays Prince William as his "beloved brother and archnemesis." He expanded on this sibling rivalry during a conversation with Michael Strahan on "Good Morning America," stating, "There has always been this competition between us, bizarrely. I think it plays into this heir-spare."
According to Andersen, the Duke of Sussex seemed upset that his elder brother, being the future king, had evaded criticism for deeds that had brought Harry under scrutiny. "Harry is visibly annoyed that William was let off the hook because he is the heir – that William faced no backlash for engaging in many of the same actions that drew severe criticism towards Harry," opined Andersen.
In his memoir, Prince Harry made serious allegations against Prince William, including physical altercations, derogatory comments about Meghan Markle, and an eventual apology from William.
British royal analyst Hilary Fordwich shared that Prince William was "appalled" by the revelations in his brother's memoir, which garnered a readership of nearly 50 million worldwide. "[It] marked the initial betrayal of their intimate bond of trust," Fordwich explained.
Fordwich further noted, "Prince William, like his grandmother, is playing the long game. ... He's systematically distancing himself from his erratic brother, which is a necessary step for preserving the crown."
In a conversation with ITV, Prince Harry stated his longing for a familial bond with his father and brother, not the institutional dynamics. However, British journalist Jonathan Sacerdoti contested this sentiment, stating, "It seems a bit rich, to be honest, because Meghan and Harry have seemingly done everything in their power to distance themselves from their family."