Did William Really Warn Harry About This When He Started Dating Meghan Markle?
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The members of the royal family seemingly juggle a volatile relationship with the media. Of course, the press loves to report on all things royal, and, over the years, photographers have caused problems for various members of the firm (via The Guardian). It’s affected everyone in different ways. Back in February 2021, Harry appeared on “The Late Late Show with James Corden” and revealed that the British media is one of the biggest reasons he and Meghan Markle abdicated their duties as senior members of the monarchy, per Page Six.
“It was never walking away — it was stepping back, rather than stepping down,” Harry told the talk show host. “It was a really difficult environment, as I think a lot of people saw. We all know what the British press can be like, and it was destroying my mental health. I was like, ‘This is toxic.’ So I did what any husband and what any father would do, is like, I need to get my family out of here.” Since relinquishing their duties, Harry and Meghan have continued to battle the media. The proud parents have even taken extreme measures to protect their children (via the Daily Beast). How does that compare to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s relationship with the at-times pesky press? A new book reveals how William felt about Harry’s handling of the furor.
“It was never walking away — it was stepping back, rather than stepping down,” Harry told the talk show host. “It was a really difficult environment, as I think a lot of people saw. We all know what the British press can be like, and it was destroying my mental health. I was like, ‘This is toxic.’ So I did what any husband and what any father would do, is like, I need to get my family out of here.”
Since relinquishing their duties, Harry and Meghan have continued to battle the media. The proud parents have even taken extreme measures to protect their children (via the Daily Beast). How does that compare to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s relationship with the at-times pesky press? A new book reveals how William felt about Harry’s handling of the furor.
Prince William was reportedly worried about Prince Harry confronting the media
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In the statement, he also asked for the press to respect the couple’s privacy and cited sexist and racist abuse Meghan faced. “He has asked for this statement to be issued in the hopes that those in the press who have been driving this story can pause and reflect before any further damage is done,” the statement read. While his move was deemed “unusual,” it seemed necessary at the time thanks to the vitriol coming from the reporting.
“It’s interesting to see the differences between the way William and Harry handle the press,” Andersen told Fox. He added that the elder brother had additional advice for Harry.
Prince William allegedly urged Prince Harry not to rush into his relationship
Prince William reportedly had different advice for his brother in the face of his “whirlwind” romance. “William, who has always been cautious, was the one who said, ‘Wait a minute, take it easy. Don’t rush things,’” Andersen claimed. “There’s a scene in the book where Harry says, ‘Who the hell do you think you are?’ He was furious.” The brothers also reportedly feuded after William attempted to get their uncle to talk to Harry. Andersen claimed this made their situation “far worse” and added that Harry was left “furious that his brother was actively seeking to have others interfere in his personal affairs” (via Page Six).
Some of the tension apparently stemmed from the speed at which the Duke and Duchess were moving in their relationship. William released a statement of his own supporting his brother back in 2016 (via The Telegraph), but Andersen alleged that he privately expressed surprise over his brother’s decisions.
Kate Middleton was also seemingly hesitant to welcome Meghan Markle
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Of course, rumors have been swirling about the strength of the women’s relationship for years now. Prince William and Prince Harry’s relationship has been called into question in recent months, especially after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sat down for their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey. The brothers may still be going at it away from public view, but their wives are reportedly “closer than ever,” a source told US Weekly.
Perhaps the rest of the family should take notes and be more like them?
