06 November 2023 , 23:01
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Prince Harry and Prince William have lived thousands of miles apart since the revelations surrounding Megxit and the well-publicised tensions between the brothers.
But even before the spectacular withdrawal from the Royal Family, there were signs that not all was well. In 2020, the Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan Markle quit their work as senior royals. But back in 2019, Harry reportedly shut down his brother’s offer of peace with a simple two-word message telling the Duke of Cambridge ‘don’t come’ after growing too concerned their meeting would be leaked to the press.
It came after Harry hinted at their deteriorating relationship during an interview he gave during his tour of South Africa alongside Meghan. On the trip, he told ITV: "Part of this role, part of this job, this family, being under the pressure which it’s under, inevitably stuff happens. 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 always be there for me.
William and Harry have had high-profile moments of tension over the years (Getty Images)"We don’t see each other as much as we used to as we are so busy. But I love him dearly and you know the majority of the stuff is probably — well, the majority of the stuff is created out of nothing. But as brothers, you have good days and you have bad days.”
After Harry’s comments, William reportedly asked to meet him for a chat. But whilst Harry was said to be keen at first, after his brother admitted he would have to tell his private secretary to pencil in the appointment, the younger of the royal brothers reportedly delivered his two-word response.
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It was explained in an extract from Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown that claimed: "William WhatsApped his brother to ask if he could come and see him. Initially, Harry was in favour. Then he spoke to his brother again and asked him whom he would tell. William explained that he'd have to clear his schedule, which would mean telling his private secretary. At that point, Harry told him: 'Don't come.' He was so concerned that William's team would leak the visit to the Press that he would rather not see his brother than risk it getting into the papers."