09 March 2024 , 14:42
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In the last few years since Prince Harry and Meghan left the UK and life as working royals behind, the Sussexes have repeatedly claimed that from their perspective a culture of leaking within the royal households was a major factor in their decision to step back.
A royal correspondent has claimed that Harry was so afraid of what was going on behind closed doors being leaked to the press that he even cancelled a potential meeting with his brother, in a "heartbreaking" moment, after Prince William had reached out to him in concern after it had become clear that the Sussexes were struggling with life in the public eye.
Royal Correspondent for The Times, Valentine Low, explained to Hello Magazine that the incident had occurred in late 2019, just months before Meghan and Harry would officially enter a transitional period away from royal life.
The impetus for William to suggest the meet-up had been a documentary made by the Sussexes about their tour of Southern Africa for ITV, in which Meghan admitted that becoming a mother amid fierce scrutiny had been a "struggle" and Harry said that he and his brother were "on different paths" at that time.
The documentary had been released whilst Kate and William were on a tour to Pakistan, and on William's return he contacted his brother asking him if he would like to meet, the royal expert claimed.
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"I think he did speak to Harry and said he wants to come and see him. And Harry was initially kind of open to this idea, but then said to William, 'Well, who are you going to tell if you come round?' William said, 'Well, you know, I have to tell my private secretary because I've got to change my diary.' And Harry said, 'Right, well, in that case, don't come.' Because he was so worried that once the staff knew, that it would leak. It was kind of heartbreaking."
William and Harry's relationship hasn't improved in recent years (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)The royal expert added: "Now, it could be that Harry was also looking for an excuse to say, 'Don't come.' That's certainly what someone has suggested, that this meeting would never have taken place. But you know, it's still heartbreaking that they couldn't have these moments."
Since this incident is alleged to have taken place, relations between the two brothers do not seem to have improved, with William and Harry not seeing each other when the Duke of Sussex was recently in the UK to meet the King after his recent cancer diagnosis.
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