Prince William And Kate Had Different Reactions To Prince Harry’s Royal Exit

While the Princess of Wales reportedly viewed his departure as inevitable, her husband was said to be deeply saddened by it.

Meanwhile, former royal aide Paul Burrell claims the divide between Prince Harry’s family and the royal family has widened, affecting even King Charles’ relationship with the duke’s children.

A brand new book is shedding light on how the Prince and Princess of Wales privately responded to Prince Harry’s dramatic departure from royal duties in 2020, and it suggests their reactions were removed from similar.

In “William and Catherine: The Monarchy’s Recent Era: The Inside Story,” set for release on March 10, royal correspondent Russell Myers explores the emotional aftermath of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to step back from their senior royal roles.

When Harry and Meghan Markle announced they’d divide their time between the UK and North America while pursuing financial independence, it sent shockwaves through the monarchy and the world at large.

In accordance with People Magazine, an excerpt published revealed that Kate reportedly took a more supportive view of Harry’s selection.

Myers writes that she “had less interest than her husband in trying to steer Harry to remain in his current role.”

She is alleged to have believed that the long-standing dynamic between “the heir and the spare” made Harry’s dissatisfaction almost inevitable, that his role would never feel equal or expansive enough.

In contrast, William was described as “intensely saddened at his brother’s decision to quit.”

The 2 had already grown apart over time, but Harry’s final break signaled some extent of no return.

Myers wrote that “Fond memories of their childhood, from helping one another through the tragedy of their mother’s death, to growing up in the general public eye, were now tarnished by the division at the guts of the family.”

Following their departure, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex settled in California, where they’re raising their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

While Harry and Meghan initially expressed a want to support the monarchy in a modified capability, discussions on the Sandringham summit, convened by Queen Elizabeth II, made it clear that a hybrid “half-in, half-out” arrangement wouldn’t be possible.

Within the years since, tensions have remained evident between the Sussexes and the remaining of the royal family.

Although Harry met along with his father, King Charles III, as recently as September 2025, his relationship with William appears unresolved, with reports claiming that reconciliation between the siblings is extremely unlikely.

Public interviews, a Netflix docuseries, and Harry’s “Spare” memoir further exposed grievances, while further worsening the fracture.

Royal expert Paul Burrell, who once served Princess Diana, recently noted that the divide between the Sussexes and the royal family, particularly the Waleses, could also be even worse than the general public realizes.

Talking to Fox News Digital, Burrell suggested that William has intentionally created more distance from his younger brother lately, and he doubts the 2 will reconcile anytime soon, if in any respect.

In accordance with Burrell, William’s increasing proximity to the throne has shaped his approach. As heir, he must operate inside a tightly controlled environment, safeguarding each his role and the institution.

“He cannot let things leak out,” said Burrell. “He doesn’t wish to live in a world with a leaky sieve. He doesn’t wish to live in a world that cannot be controlled because, to be a monarch, you could have to regulate the environment. You could have to take care of the crown.”

Burrell also suggested that the continuing rift has taken an emotional toll on Charles III, particularly in relation to his relationship with Harry’s children.

In accordance with Burrell, the king is alleged to feel deep sadness over the limited time he has spent with Archie and Lilibet, who’re growing up in Montecito, California.

Living 1000’s of miles from the U.K., the youngsters are largely faraway from the royal environment that shaped their father’s upbringing.

“It’s sad for Archie and Lilibet, who won’t ever know that world. Their father got here from that world, and they’re going to never know their cousins and the individuals who populate that world,” Burrell said. “It’s sad for the king, who cannot embrace all his grandchildren at the identical time. He cannot put his arms around Archie and Lilibet the identical way that he can around [William’s children] George, Charlotte, and Louis. I believe he’s very sad.”

Reflecting on the family divide, Burrell added that Princess Diana would likely have been distressed to see her sons estranged and living on separate continents, separated not only by circumstance but by an ocean.