Prince William and Catherine have long kept their thoughts on Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step away from royal life private. Now, their official biographer is finally shedding light on how they truly felt when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose to leave the UK.
In an upcoming book, William and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story, the author explores the internal impact of Harry and Meghan’s departure on the Prince and Princess of Wales. The book is set for release on March 10, 2026, and an early excerpt obtained by People offers fresh insight into the family’s state of mind during that period.
According to the extract, Catherine was less invested than her husband in trying to persuade Harry to remain in his royal role. From William’s perspective, the decision to move was not driven solely by Meghan Markle’s mental health struggles, which have been discussed publicly before. It was also shaped by Harry’s complicated relationship with his brother and the long-standing “heir and spare” dynamic that defined their roles within the monarchy.
That said, William’s reaction was deeply emotional. The book notes that he was “intensely saddened” by his brother’s decision to step away. Years of shared experiences, including supporting one another through the loss of their mother and growing up under constant public scrutiny, suddenly felt overshadowed by a growing rift within the family.
When Harry relocated to Canada, those once-close bonds were described as being strained by distance and unresolved tension. For William, the move marked not just a change in royal duties, but a painful turning point in a relationship shaped by shared history and now defined by separation.
