They’ve reportedly barely spoken all year, but if you ask Prince William, it’s time that he and Prince Harry settled things once and for all – especially now that their father Prince Charles has been dragged into the drama.
Last week, there was outrage at Buckingham Palace, after claims made in a new book named the Prince of Wales as the mystery figure who had speculated about the skin tone of Harry and Meghan Markle’s future children – something his spokesperson rubbished, saying, “This is fiction and not worth further comment.”
According to insiders, William was incensed by the claims – but what made his blood really boil was the fact that Harry and Meghan declined to comment and shut the story down. Now, we’re told, William is insisting that the brothers hold crisis talks – but the Sussexes aren’t playing ball.
“Harry seems content to keep quiet for now,” says an insider close to the former royal couple, who caused global furore in March, after telling Oprah Winfrey that a senior royal had expressed “concerns about how dark” their now two-year-old son Archie’s skin would be while Meghan was pregnant. “For William, that’s the equivalent of lighting a match and then fleeing the scene when the building is burning. He believes that the only way for this to be solved is for Harry to issue an apology for any rumours that he and Meghan may have sparked.”
The Sussexes have stayed silent on the identity of the senior royal involved – but last week, the story was reignited after US author Christopher Andersen released his new book, Brothers And Wives: Inside The Private Lives Of William, Kate, Harry And Meghan. In it, he claims Prince Charles is the family member in question.
CHECK OUT Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's relationship timeline from the start
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship timeline
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met in London in July 2016.
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They were introduced by mutual friend Markus Anderson, who is the director of Soho House.
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In October 2016, the Express became the first newspaper to publish news that Prince Harry had a new girlfriend.
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On November 8th 2016, Kensington Palace released an unprecedented statement which referring to Markle as Harry's girlfriend for the first time.
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In the statement, Prince Harry condemned the 'wave of abuse and harrassment' faced by Markle, saying that he was 'worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.'
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'It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm,' the statement continued.
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The couple were papped together for the first time in December 2016, shopping for a Christmas tree in London at the Pines and Needles store.
8 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Later that week, they were seen on London's West End, catching a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
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In February, Prince Harry wore a his 'n' hers bracelet on the cover of Town & Country magazine, just weeks after Markle was pictured wearing the same one on Instagram.
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In March 2017, Meghan joined Prince Harry in the Caribbean for the wedding of his friend's Tom 'Skippy' Inskip and Lara Hughes-Young.
11 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
It was the first time that Markle accompanied Harry to a wedding, marking another milestone occasion for the couple.
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The first public event attended by the couple was the polo at Coworth Park in May 2017.
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Later in May, Markle attended the party portion of Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Middelton.
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Prince Harry was seen driving her to the event after the church ceremony.
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The couple were photographed together the following day at the wheelchair tennis.
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The couple 'broke with royal protocol' by holding hands and appearing affectionate while at the Invictus Games.
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In an interview with Vanity Fair, Meghan referred to Harry as her boyfriend numerous times, saying: 'We're a couple. We're in love. I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people understand is that this is our time.'
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In early November 2017, it was reported that Meghan Markle was leaving Suits after seven series.
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Much was made of Markle's choice of outfit: ripped jeans and a white blouse called 'The Husband'.
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Although Prince Harry was sat next to First Lady Melania Trump at the event, rather than his girlfriend, she was only seated a few rows behind him.
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The couple made their first official public appearance in September, when Markle attended the opening of Prince Harry's Invictus Games.
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In mid-November 2017, bookies suspending betting on an impending royal engagement, as speculation grew that an announcement was about to be made.
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On November 27th 2017, Prince Charles announced the engagement of his younger son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after 15 months of dating.
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The couple later appeared at a photocall, with Markle wearing a white dress coat by Canadian brand Line The Label. The website has subsequently crashed.
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The engagement ring, by Cleave and Company, was reportedly designed by Prince Harry himself, using two stones that belonged to Princess Diana.
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When asked by waiting photographers if the proposal was romantic, Harry joked 'of course!'
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The couple indulged in some PDA at the closing ceremony.
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Meghan wore a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by one of her favourite Canadian brands Aritzia.
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She teamed it with a matching burgundy biker jacket by Mackage.
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Prince Harry reportedly spent time with Meghan's mother Doria while at the Games too.
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Prince Harry was photographed kissing Meghan.
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In late September 2017, it was reported that Meghan had met the Queen, prompting speculation that the relationship was getting serious.
Look! More news!
This is the text Meghan Markle sent to a friend after meeting Prince Harry
He alleges that, on the same morning the engagement of Harry and Meghan was officially announced, “Prince Charles mused to his wife, Camilla, ‘I wonder what the children will look like... I mean, what do you think their children’s complexion might be?’”
According to Andersen, “The question… was being echoed in a less innocent way throughout the halls of Buckingham Palace”, as “scheming courtiers” gave it a “racist spin”, before the comment made its way to Harry and Meghan.
According to our source, it’s Harry and Meghan’s silence in the face of these claims that has upset William – especially since Meghan immediately spoke out last week, after winning her privacy battle against the Mail On Sunday over their publication of a letter she wrote to her dad. The newspaper was denied its appeal to go to a full trial, prompting Meghan to say in a statement, “This is a victory not just for me, but for anyone who has ever felt scared to stand up for what’s right.” Her words have apparently angered William, as she’s been far less forthcoming in “standing up for what’s right” when it comes to righting any inaccuracies being spoken about Prince Charles.
“The royals are in crisis and his father is under attack,” we’re told. “William feels that Harry and Meghan owe it to them to set the record straight, but Harry is unequivocal that they won’t back down – and the idea that Meghan should have to apologise for her role in any of this is just plain ridiculous to him, too. Right now, he and William are at a total impasse.”
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