Future King Reportedly Grieved Brother’s Departure Like a Deep Personal Loss
Prince William experienced “great sadness” after the Duke of Sussex’s unexpected decision to step back from royal life, a move that reshaped the monarchy and deeply affected their bond, according to royal experts featured in a new Channel 5 documentary.
The documentary, Megxit: Inside The Sandringham Summit, explores the behind-the-scenes tensions surrounding Harry and Meghan Markle’s 2020 decision to leave their senior royal roles. The decision prompted an urgent meeting at Sandringham involving Queen Elizabeth II, then-Prince Charles, William, and Harry.
According to royal commentator Charlotte Griffiths, William felt both “relief” and “grief” during this period. “He was really, officially losing his brother,” she said, adding that the future King began to grieve the relationship as he once grieved the loss of their mother, Princess Diana. “He was just genuinely quite sad, and completely broken,” she shared.
Following the summit, the brothers reportedly spent private time in the gardens of Sandringham, where Harry expected a confrontation. Instead, according to author Andrew Morton and royal expert Jack Royston, William chose to listen rather than argue, giving Harry a chance to explain his reasoning.
“It was important for Harry to say his piece, and for William to avoid turning it into a confrontation,” Royston noted, suggesting both sought closure from a moment that marked a profound shift in their relationship.
