The nation last week celebrated the life of Princess Diana on what would have been her 60th birthday – with a statue of her unveiled by her two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, outside Kensington Palace.
The photo of the brothers together in front of their mother’s statue touched the hearts of people around the world – and more so, given that they have been embroiled in a toxic feud in recent months.
Hopes had been rising that bad feeling between them had thawed when it emerged the brothers had been texting ahead of the unveiling, revelling in England’s football victory in the Euros days before.
But the continued gulf between them quickly became clear when they emerged for the memorial – with little chat and Harry appearing at times uncertain or broadly grinning next to his more sombre-looking elder brother.
Fans took to social media to express their disappointment, especially following news that Harry left the gathering just 20 minutes later after having one “polite drink” with family including Diana’s sisters and brother. One wrote, “Why was Harry grinning all the time? It looked totally inappropriate.”
Another posted, “Harry has made an awkwardness that never needed to be there. Their mother would have been horrified at the divisions that Meghan has caused.” Another said, “It’s just so sad, it looks so awkward and fake between them.”
Since Harry and Meghan stepped down from official duties and upped sticks for a new life in California, the royals have reportedly been left “livid” over a series of “truth bombs” from the couple, including their claims to chat show host Oprah Winfrey of racism and of holding back care for Meghan as she struggled to cope with suicidal feelings. The allegations sparked a furious reaction from William, leaving the brothers barely speaking. There was already ill-feeling between them after rows over Harry and Meghan’s alleged treatment of royal staff.
And palace insider Duncan Larcombe – author of Prince Harry: The Inside Story – says the brothers can only truly rebuild their relationship and move forward if Harry and Meghan make drastic changes.
Duncan says, “Harry and Meghan seem to think they can co-exist in these two worlds – the world of British royals and American celebrity. Harry is loving the American life now – but he’s still in the honeymoon phase. I think coming back and seeing his brother, especially against the very moving backdrop of a memorial for their mother, will maybe make him question what he’s given it all up for.
“He’s totally sacrificed relations with his family for his new life with Meghan, and things seem to have been done her way and with her needs first. But, ultimately, Harry will want and need his family – they are his flesh and blood. I think Harry and Meghan will have to make compromises to make things work with the royals, and even to save their marriage – because there will be a point when he’ll be torn between Meghan’s world and his own family. They need to plan what they say and do moving forward and communicate with the royals, if they want to have a relationship with Harry’s family.”
The tension between the brothers is thought to have heightened after Harry married Meghan, 39, in 2018.
A recent book, Battle Of The Brothers, by Robert Lacey, claimed the rift hit fever pitch in 2019 when William insisted the two households split, after learning of a “dossier” of alleged bullying by Meghan against palace staff. Indeed, nine staff members quit during Meghan’s 22 months as a royal, and there were stories of her emailing at 5am and “talking down” to them in front of other royals.
And American author Leslie Carroll – who chronicled the couple’s romance in her book, American Princess – says that she doesn’t doubt that Meghan’s approach to staff would have ruffled feathers, due to her upbringing in California.
She says, “Meghan was, in a way, perfect for a role within the royal family – with her hard work ethic and the philanthropic work she’d done over the years. It could have been so great. But I think Meghan’s ‘American ways’ – her bluntness and directness – would not have been well received. In America, we say to employees, ‘I need this done, here’s the list, go do it and then come back to me’. In Britain, it’s more polite and nuanced.
“Meghan would have found it hard to be in that environment. And now she wants to speak her truth, to explain why she found it so hard and why she and Harry moved to America. We’re all very much about telling our stories and speaking out to help others. That’s why she’s done what she’s done – but I can imagine it was hard for Harry to move his life abroad and learn a whole new culture himself.”
As Closer went to press, Harry was due to return to LA to wife Meghan, son Archie, two, and one-month-old daughter Lilibet. He’s not expected to return to the UK until the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next June.
And Duncan says that in order for some significant improvement to relations between Harry and Meghan and the royals to be made by then, there needs to be a blueprint written out between them.
Check out: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's relationship from the start
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry relationship timeline - Grazia - SLIDER
1 of 17July 2016: Meghan And Harry Meet
So when did the future Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were introduced by a mutual friend in July 2016, originally thought to be Markus Anderson (also the director of Soho house) but who was later confirmed to be Violet von Westenholz. Meghan said in an interview that before she met the Harry she didn't know much about him 'the only thing that I had asked [our mutual friend] was, 'Well is he nice?'. According to Harry he knew Meghan was The One from 'the very first time we met.' after only two dates Harry asked Meghan to accompany him on a trip to Botswana.
2 of 17October - November 2016: Kensington Palace's Statement
In October 2016 that the Express became the first newspaper to publish news that Prince Harry had a new girlfriend. However just a month later, Kensington Palace released a statement condemning the 'wave of abuse and harassment' faced by Meghan. The unprecedented statement, which referred to Meghan as Harry's girlfriend for the first time, emphasized that Prince Harry was 'worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.' It continued 'It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm.' The palace were also forced to address speculation that Prince William was unhappy with Harry for confirming the relationship too soon, stating 'The Duke of Cambridge absolutely understands the situation concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him.'
3 of 17December - February 2017: Things Get More Serious
Early in December 2017 Meghan was confirmed as the most Googled actress of 2016. In the same month, the couple were photographed together for the first time in London, shopping for a Christmas tree at the Pines and Needles store and attending a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. By January 2017 a source told US weekly that Harry had introduced Meghan to Kate and Prince Charlotte and that the 'meeting went well'. Meanwhile a source told The Sun that Meghan had 'virtually moved in' with Prince Harry to his cottage on the Kensington Palace estate.
4 of 17March - May 2017: Meghan Attends Weddings With Harry
By March things were openly getting pretty serious between the two: Meghan accompanied Harry to Jamaica for a wedding for the first time (his friend's Tom 'Skippy' Inskip to Lara Hughes-Young). On April the 7th Meghan announced that she was closing down her lifestyle blog The Tig writing 'What began as a passion project (my little engine that could) evolved into an amazing community of inspiration, support, fun and frivolity. You've made my days brighter and filled this experience with so much joy.' In May, Meghan and Harry attended their first public event together at the Polo in Coworth Park (where they also engaged in some PDA). Later in May Prince Harry was seen driving Meghan to the reception of Pippa Middleton and James Matthew's wedding.
5 of 17September 2017: The First Official Public Appearance
Welcome to Meghan the style Icon: at the opening of Prince Harry's Invictus Games in September Meghan wore a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by one of her favourite Canadian brands, Aritzia with a burgundy biker jacket by Mackage. The next day the couple were photographed sitting together at the wheelchair tennis and 'broke with royal protocol' by holding hands and kissing at the closing ceremony. On the 5th of September In an interview with Vanity Fair, Meghan stated: 'We're a couple. We're in love. I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people understand is that this is our time.'
6 of 17September-November 2017: Meghan Leaves Behind Rachel Zane
Late 2017 we saw the end of everyone's favourite legal powerhouse Rachel Zane (sob). In November 2017, shortly after Meghan met the Queen, the actress was reported to be leaving her role in Suits after seven seasons.
7 of 17November 2017: The Engagement
After months of speculation, Prince Charles announced the engagement of his younger son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after 15 months of dating On November 27th 2017 . The engagement ring, said to be designed by Harry, is made of two stones that belonged to Princess Diana. The couple later appeared at a photocall, with Markle wearing a white dress coat by Canadian brand Line The Label (whose website subsequently crashed). When asked by waiting photographers if the proposal was romantic, Harry joked 'of course!' Speaking about his late mother, Princess Diana, Harry said 'I think they'd be thick as thieves. She would be over the moon, jumping up and down, so excited for me... It's days like today when I really miss having her around and miss being able to share the happy news. With the ring, I'm sure she's with us, jumping up and down somewhere else.' it was announced that the wedding would take place on May the 19th, 2018.
8 of 17December 2017: The Fab Four
In December 2017 Meghan, Harry, Kate and William were photographed together attending the Christmas service at Sandringham. Pictures of the two couples earned them the title 'The Fab Four'. Meanwhile in the following months Meghan earned a reputation for breaking royal protocol on official visits by hugging fans of the couple and kissing them on the cheek.
9 of 17February 2018: Kate And Meghan Appear In Public Together
In February 2018, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle had their first royal engagement together for the Royal Foundation Forum with Prince Harry and Prince William. Harry stated of the two couples 'We have different opinions and they work really well [together]. Working as family does have its challenges; of course it does. The fact that everybody is laughing shows they know exactly what's it like… But we are stuck together for the rest of our lives.'
10 of 17May 2018: The Lead Up To The Wedding
In the lead-up to the wedding it was confirmed 2,640 people would be invited to the grounds of Windsor Palace to watch the royal wedding. Photos of Meghan and Harry's wedding invitations were released, bearing Harry's legal name 'Henry'. Meghan and Harry made a number of public appearances together including to the Invictus game tryouts in April and attend the Queen's birthday at the Royal Albert Hall. Meghan's final episode of Suits is also aired, marking the official end of her acting career.
11 of 17May 2018: Meghan's Family Drama Begins
On May the 14th, three days before the wedding Meghan's father, Thomas Markle sr. who was confirmed to walk Meghan down the aisle pulled out, following an embarrassing incident in which he staged paid paparazzi photos. Thomas Markle later suffered a heart attack, and his son Thomas Markle Jr. penned an unflattering open letter to Harry criticizing Meghan and encouraging him to pull out of the wedding. The day before the wedding, Kensington Palace announced Prince Charles would walk Meghan down the aisle, stating 'The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way.'
12 of 17May 2018: The Royal Wedding
Meghan and Harry wed on the 19th of May for a combined audience of 11.5 million people who tuned in to watch the ceremony. Meghan's gown was made by Clare Waight Keller, artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy which she later changed for a silk crepe dress by Stella McCartney. Her mother Doria Ragland attended the ceremony along with a host of celebrities including Meghan's former Suits cast and her close friends, George and Amal Clooney.
13 of 17May - October 2018: Married Life
Throughout May of 2018 Harry and Meghan made their first official appearances as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. For her inaugural attendance to the Trooping of the Colour Meghan wore an off-the-shoulder dress, reportedly breaking royal protocal. In the following months the newlyweds made a number of public appearances including to Ireland to meet the country's officials. They also took a rumoured trip to visit George and Amal Clooney in Lake Como.
14 of 17October 2018: The Royal Baby Announcement
Speculation began during Princess Eugenie's wedding that Meghan was pregnant owing to her loose coat. The rumours were confirmed when Kensington Palace announced on the 15th of October 2018 that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were expecting a child. The announcement also coincided with the first day of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's official tour.
15 of 17October 2018: Meghan And Harry's First Royal Tour
In October Meghan and Harry departed for their 16-day Autumn royal tour visiting Australia, Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand (obviously featuring some serious style moments from the newly-appointed Duchess of Sussex/Style). By November, sources were telling news outlets that the couple were preparing to move to Frogmore cottage in Windsor in 2019. The couple spent the anniversary of their engagement, November the 27th apart, due to Harry being in Zambia.
16 of 17November 2018 - Present: Feud Rumours
As Meghan and Harry embarked on life as newlyweds there was less plainsailing, as controversy continued to follow closely on their heels. Meghan's family have continued to be the subject of unflattering media headlines and Thomas Markle gave interviews to the media about his distanced relationship with his daughter. Meanwhile Samantha Markle (Meghan's half sister, who also claims to be penning a book about the Duchess) was put on a fixated persons list after showing up at Kensington palace in January. Rumours of a froideur between Meghan and Kate were sparked shortly after Meghan and Harry's nuptials by reports that Meghan reduced Kate 'to tears' during challenging dress fittings with Princess Charlotte. In February, Thomas Markle leaks a handwritten letter from Meghan to the media in response to friends of the Duchess defending her in an interview and following numerous staff changes, rumours arise that Meghan and Harry's staff refer to Meghan by the nickname 'The difficult Duchess'.
17 of 17March 2019: The Royal Household's Split
In March 2019 it was confirmed that the Sussex and Cambridge's 'royal households' will split, meaning the couples will no longer share staff. Royal spokespersons confirm that Kate and William's staff team will stay in Kensington Palace while Meghan and Harry's staff will be based in Buckingham Palace, reflecting the location of their new residence of Frogmore cottage in Windsor. Representatives are quick to confirm this is a planned move, and not due to rumors of growing tensions between the couples.
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He says, “The only way it can move forward is for Harry and Meghan to sit down with William and set boundaries. Harry and Meghan have threatened the whole future of the royal family with what they’ve said in recent months – the institution William will one day be head of as King. He can’t be talking at a mental health charity event, with Harry across the pond talking about how the royals totally disregarded his wife when she was suicidal.
“There need to be boundaries and lines drawn – Harry needs to make a decision. He can live his new life and throw himself into work, but it can’t be to the detriment of the royals if he wants a relationship with his family.
“And Meghan too should respect her husband’s family and, should she want her children to have a relationship with them, stop the airing of dirty laundry and move forward without causing tension. If she doesn’t, she may risk losing Harry in the future.”
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