Did William Really Warn Harry About This When He Started Dating Meghan Markle?

The members of the royal family seemingly juggle a volatile relationship with the media. Of course, the press loves to report on all things royal, and, over the years, photographers have caused problems for various members of the firm (via The Guardian). It's affected everyone in different ways. Back in February 2021, Harry appeared on "The Late Late Show with James Corden" and revealed that the British media is one of the biggest reasons he and Meghan Markle abdicated their duties as senior members of the monarchy, per Page Six.

"It was never walking away — it was stepping back, rather than stepping down," Harry told the talk show host. "It was a really difficult environment, as I think a lot of people saw. We all know what the British press can be like, and it was destroying my mental health. I was like, 'This is toxic.' So I did what any husband and what any father would do, is like, I need to get my family out of here."

Since relinquishing their duties, Harry and Meghan have continued to battle the media. The proud parents have even taken extreme measures to protect their children (via the Daily Beast). How does that compare to Prince William and Kate Middleton's relationship with the at-times pesky press? A new book reveals how William felt about Harry's handling of the furor.

Prince Harry met his wife Meghan Markle on a blind date during the summer of 2016, and they clearly felt the spark. The couple enjoyed a scant few months nurturing their relationship in private before the press caught wind in October (via Town & Country). The Duke of Sussex confirmed his relationship status via an official statement on the royal family's website on November 8, 2016.

In the statement, he also asked for the press to respect the couple's privacy and cited sexist and racist abuse Meghan faced. "He has asked for this statement to be issued in the hopes that those in the press who have been driving this story can pause and reflect before any further damage is done," the statement read. While his move was deemed "unusual," it seemed necessary at the time thanks to the vitriol coming from the reporting.

Prince William seemingly had feelings about the "unusual" request. Thanks to reporting by Christopher Andersen in his book "Brothers and Wives: Inside the Private Lives of William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan," we now know that the second in line to the throne was initially concerned by it. Andersen claimed that William "reluctantly" supported his younger brother's endeavor (via Fox News).

"It's interesting to see the differences between the way William and Harry handle the press," Andersen told Fox. He added that the elder brother had additional advice for Harry.

Christopher Andersen, author of "Brothers and Wives: Inside the Private Lives of William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan," told Fox News that Prince Harry strongly urged his brother to get back with Kate Middleton when they broke up early in their relationship. Obviously, we all know how that worked out since the couple is still going strong. "Harry was the one who went to William during his six-week breakup with Kate Middleton [before they married] and said, 'What are you doing? Are you crazy? Go back,'" the author said. 

Prince William reportedly had different advice for his brother in the face of his "whirlwind" romance. "William, who has always been cautious, was the one who said, 'Wait a minute, take it easy. Don't rush things,'" Andersen claimed. "There's a scene in the book where Harry says, 'Who the hell do you think you are?' He was furious." The brothers also reportedly feuded after William attempted to get their uncle to talk to Harry. Andersen claimed this made their situation "far worse" and added that Harry was left "furious that his brother was actively seeking to have others interfere in his personal affairs" (via Page Six).

Some of the tension apparently stemmed from the speed at which the Duke and Duchess were moving in their relationship. William released a statement of his own supporting his brother back in 2016 (via The Telegraph), but Andersen alleged that he privately expressed surprise over his brother's decisions.

"Surprised" may also be a good word to describe how Prince Harry felt about Kate Middleton's initial relationship with Meghan Markle. Christopher Andersen alleged that the younger brother expected his sister-in-law to find a close bond with his partner. That was not initially the case. "She has a very tight circle of friends. She doesn't let a lot of people in," Andersen told Fox News. "By all accounts, she's charming and very intelligent. But she's also suspicious of outsiders. She delayed even meeting Meghan. And I think that confused Meghan in the beginning. Frankly, it must have insulted her. But they did get along."

Of course, rumors have been swirling about the strength of the women's relationship for years now. Prince William and Prince Harry's relationship has been called into question in recent months, especially after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sat down for their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey. The brothers may still be going at it away from public view, but their wives are reportedly "closer than ever," a source told US Weekly.

Perhaps the rest of the family should take notes and be more like them?