Prince William is said to carry some lingering regrets about the way things unfolded with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s exit from royal life.
According to an insider, William feels the situation could have been handled differently and that some key decisions should have been made earlier on.
Prince William’s feelings about Harry and Meghan’s departure
A source shared with In Touch: “William has lost all his patience when it comes to Harry and Meghan. He refuses to get into a public back and forth with his brother about any of this. It’s getting old at this point. He feels that Harry made his decision to walk away, and he should abide by the consequences that come with that.”
The brothers, now 42 and 40, have reportedly been distant for several years. Their relationship began to show signs of strain in 2018, when Harry reportedly felt William wasn’t welcoming enough to Meghan.
Harry later discussed this in his Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, describing a moment when his brother “screamed and shouted” at him as “terrifying,” following the couple’s decision to step back from their royal roles.
According to the insider, William now believes that cutting ties with Harry and Meghan at that time would have been the best course of action—and regrets that it didn’t happen then.
“They don’t talk right now,” the source added. “William has moved on and the matter of their royal titles should have been properly addressed when they initially left. William would have cut Harry and Meghan off from the royal institution back then and he regrets that it didn’t happen.”
Ongoing tension between the Waleses and the Sussexes
The rift between the two couples has reportedly deepened in recent weeks.
This follows criticism aimed at Meghan for allegedly continuing to refer to herself privately as HRH (Her Royal Highness), despite no longer being a working royal.
There is even speculation that Prince William may consider formally removing Harry and Meghan’s titles when he ascends the throne.
Controversy reignited after Jamie Kern Lima, CEO of IT Cosmetics and a friend of Meghan’s, shared a gift from the duchess that included a card signed: “With the Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”
The use of the HRH style prompted backlash from some royal commentators. Others, however, defended the duchess, noting she has not used the title in any commercial way.
A spokesperson close to Meghan clarified: “Harry and Meghan retain their HRH titles; however, by agreement, they do not use them for commercial purposes. While they do not publicly use ‘HRH,’ this was a personal gift, and their titles remain.”
Prince William’s view of Meghan Markle
There’s been much speculation about William’s relationship with Meghan. While some believe he welcomed her into the royal family as he would any new member, others claim he was concerned about how quickly the relationship was moving.
Reports suggest that William even advised Harry to hold off on proposing to Meghan. Tensions may also have existed between Meghan and Kate, Princess of Wales.
In one widely reported incident, the two women allegedly disagreed in the lead-up to Meghan and Harry’s wedding in 2018. Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress reportedly didn’t fit properly, leaving the young royal in tears—and Meghan distressed after Kate is said to have insisted the dresses be redone.
Such events likely didn’t help foster a close bond between William and Meghan.
