Meghan Markle was reduced to tears after Buckingham Palace issued a brutal statement.
The shocking revelation emerged from the couple’s controversial Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, where Prince Harry detailed the devastating moment that further drove a wedge between the royal brothers.
The incident occurred in 2020 when reports surfaced suggesting that part of the reason the pair were stepping back from royal duties was because Prince William had ‘bullied them out’ of the family.
Within hours, a joint statement appeared under both brothers’ names dismissing these claims.
The brief but impactful statement read: “Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a newspaper today speculating about the relationship between The Duke of Sussex and The Duke of Cambridge.
“For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and harmful.”
Prince Harry revealed his shock and anger at discovering the statement had been issued without his knowledge or consent.
Speaking in the Netflix series, he recounted: “That day, a story came out that part of the reason why Meghan and I were leaving was because William had bullied us out. And once I got in the car after the meeting, I was told about a joint statement that had been put out in my name and my brother’s name, squashing the story about him bullying us out of the family.”
“I couldn’t believe it. No one had asked me permission to put my name to a statement like that,” Prince Harry continued.
“And I rang M and I told her and she burst into floods of tears because within four hours they were happy to lie to protect my brother, and yet for three years, they were never willing to tell the truth to protect us.”
The Duke of Sussex described this moment as particularly painful, explaining how it highlighted what he saw as the institution’s willingness to protect William while leaving him and Markle vulnerable to negative coverage.
Prince Harry reflected on how this incident represented a broader issue in his relationship with his brother, saying: “The saddest part of it was this wedge created between me and my brother so that he’s now on the institution’s side. And I get, part of that I get. I understand, right?
“That’s his inheritance, so to some extent it’s already ingrained in him that part of his responsibility is the survivability and the continuation of this institution.”
This revelation came as part of the couple’s broader criticism of how they were treated by the royal establishment, with Prince Harry claiming there was a stark contrast between the Palace’s quick action to protect Prince William and their reluctance to defend the Sussexes.
Despite these past tensions, other reports suggest tentative steps toward reconciliation.
King Charles and Prince Harry’s senior aides held a secret peace summit in London, marking what sources described as the first notable step in a potential healing process.
Meredith Maines, the Duke of Sussex’s chief communications officer, flew from Los Angeles to meet with Tobyn Andreae, the King’s communications secretary, at the exclusive Royal Over-Seas League club near Clarence House, Yahoo reports.
A source revealed: “There’s a long road ahead, but a channel of communication is now open for the first time in years. There was no formal agenda, just casual drinks. There were things both sides wanted to talk about.”
However, experts suggest Prince William remains far less inclined to reconcile with his estranged brother. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams noted: “The King would never have made these moves without William’s support and understanding. William and Catherine are the future of the monarchy.
“He has undoubtedly been furious at the way the Sussexes have behaved and undoubtedly regards Harry’s behaviour as treason of a sort.”
Royal author Phil Dampier added: “The King is more anxious to patch things up than William, who I believe will never be close to his brother again.”
