Insiders Dispute Prince Harry's Claim of Physical Attack by William
Sources close to Prince William have strongly questioned Prince Harry's assertion that his brother physically assaulted him during a heated argument, according to revelations in a new biography. The claims, described as "massively overblown" by insiders, challenge one of the most explosive allegations from Harry's memoir, Spare.
Biography Reveals Royal Tensions and Disputed Accounts
In William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story by Mirror royal editor Russell Myers, sources with knowledge of the incident provide a different perspective on the altercation that occurred at Harry's former home, Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace. The argument reportedly erupted when William confronted Harry about Meghan Markle's behavior toward palace staff, which sources described as "difficult" and "abrasive."
While Harry claimed in his memoir that William grabbed him by the collar, knocked him to the floor, ripped his necklace, and caused a dog bowl to crack under his back, sources close to the Prince of Wales offer a contrasting narrative. One source stated: "It was a cheap shot from Harry to present such an argument. Tensions were running very high, and yes, there certainly were cross words exchanged that on reflection were regrettable, but the prince William is adamant there was no physical violence."
Broader Revelations About Royal Relationships
The biography also uncovers several other significant revelations about the royal family:
- Princess Catherine had less interest than William in attempting to prevent Harry and Meghan from stepping back from royal duties, believing Harry's departure was "inevitable"
- The Princess of Wales eventually realized she "could do no more to bring the brothers together" despite previously serving as a "voice of reason"
- William wanted his uncle Prince Andrew banished from royal life immediately after Andrew's disastrous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview
- The book provides new context on how Catherine dealt with her shock cancer diagnosis
- It traces William and Catherine's relationship from their meeting at St Andrews University to their current vision for a modern monarchy
Regarding the staff tensions that reportedly triggered the argument between the brothers, a source in the biography explains: "It wasn't peddling a tabloid narrative to stick up for staff that were deeply unhappy to the point of walking away or having their mental health being affected." The source added that staff had been "ground down" by the Sussexes.
Author's Perspective on the Royal Couple
Russell Myers, who has followed the Prince and Princess of Wales for nearly a decade as part of the royal press pack, described his biography as "a truly intimate portrait of William and Catherine" that provides "not just unparalleled insight into who they are as individuals, but seismic revelations about them as a couple and the world they inhabit."
Myers emphasized that the work "moves beyond the headlines as it explores love, resilience, and their journey together as they navigate their public duties amid this unprecedented era." The biography, published by Ebury, Penguin Random House, is available for pre-order ahead of its release on February 26.
While Prince William has maintained silence regarding Harry's allegations, the new biography presents alternative accounts from those close to the future king, challenging the narrative presented in Spare and shedding light on the complex dynamics within the royal family during a period of significant turmoil and transition.
