Harry and Wills' royal rift the 'most profound' conflict in generations, expert claims

A new book claims Prince Harry and Prince William’s royal rift is one of the most profound conflicts to have ever happened in the royal family.

Biographer Robert Lacey, who is also a historical consultant for the Netflix series The Crown is set to release the book, Battle of Brothers: William and Harry — the Friendship and the Feuds, in October, where he’ll detail the ‘fresh details and insights’ about their highly reported feud.

In the synopsis, which was obtained by People magazine, Robert says that while “the last 18 months has seen a devastating breakdown of their once unbreakable bond” he believes they have been “acting out the contradictions that go back into their childhoods and even before that: into their parents' ill-fated marriage.”

“I have been astonished and sometimes moved to tears by the fresh details and insights I have discovered in researching this story of family conflict,” Robert said.

“It has been both enthralling and painful to trace this drama through the memories of close witnesses and some of the people most intimately involved.

"We have seen conflicts between heir and spare in every recent generation of the royal family — but nothing so profound as this.”

Prince Harry speaks out

Back in October, the Duke of Sussex opened up in a one-hour documentary about his and wife Meghan Markle’s recent tour of Africa, that gave a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of the couple, their roles as modern royals and how they balance their public duties with their family life.

During filming, presenter Tom Bradby – who has known the duke for fifteen years – asked about the rumours of a royal family rift following the split in the two households.

“Part of this role, part of this job and this family being under the pressure that it is under, inevitably stuff happens,” he responded.

“But we are brothers, we will always be brothers. We are certainly on different paths at the moment but I will always be there for him as I know he will be for me.

He went on to say that though they don’t see each other very often he “loves him dearly.”

While he didn’t directly discuss a potential fall-out, the duke went on to say that the “majority of this stuff is created out of nothing.”

He added: “As brothers you have good days and bad days.”

The ‘Fab Four’s’ royal rift

Rumours of a royal rift between the pair have been circling for months now, with Prince Harry even caught on camera trying to dodge his brother, Prince William, on Easter Sunday.

And while many initially thought the tension was between Kate and new sister-in-law Meghan, it was eventually revealed that it was in fact the brothers who were not seeing eye to eye.

Back in April, one author believed she knew what may have started it all.

Katie Nicholl, who wrote the books, Harry and Meghan, Harry, and Kate, believes the separation between the brothers began when Prince William showed hesitation about Harry and Meghan’s relationship ahead of their wedding.

Harry is said to have been left fuming and married Meghan less than two years after they’re said to have met.

“William was concerned about how quickly the relationship had moved and wanted to make sure that Harry was making the right decision,” Katie Nicholl reportedly told Fox News.

“What was intended as well-meaning, brotherly concern and a bit of advice went down quite badly with Harry, who felt William wasn’t being as supportive as he might have been.

Sign up to our daily newsletter here to get all the latest news and hacks. Or get in touch at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.