A royal expert believes Prince William had valid reasons to be concerned about Prince Harry during the early stages of his relationship with Meghan Markle.
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show on June 13, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond noted that Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, progressed quickly in their romance, unlike William, 41, and Kate Middleton.
“Kate had ten years to observe the reality of royal life,” Bond explained. “It was brilliant because she got to understand the restrictions and intense public scrutiny that come with it. Thanks to their lengthy courtship, she had time to determine whether she could handle it – and William was able to see that as well.”
“This is why William was right to advise or caution Harry, asking, ‘Are you sure you’re not moving a bit quickly in this relationship with Meghan?’” Bond explained.
“Harry was offended by being questioned in that way, but I believe it came from a place of good intentions.”
Harry and Meghan began their relationship in 2016 after being introduced by a mutual friend. They got engaged the following year and were married at Windsor Castle in May 2018.
In contrast, William and Kate, both 42, dated for eight years before tying the knot in 2011.
In his 2023 memoir Spare, Harry shared that his older brother had warned him about pursuing a relationship with Meghan, who was still starring in the popular TV series Suits at the time.
“She’s an American actress, after all, Harold. Anything might happen,” William reportedly said to Harry.
Harry also wrote in the memoir that he had told William he believed their late mother, Princess Diana, played a role in bringing Meghan into his life. According to Harry, William “took a step back” and responded by saying his brother might be “taking things a bit too far.”
Two years after tying the knot, Harry and Meghan decided to step back from their roles as working members of the British royal family and relocated to the United States. The couple now resides in California with their two children and remains distant from Harry’s relatives.
In an interview with The Sun, Bond shared that she “can’t see” Harry ever resuming his royal duties.
“And yes – I do miss him. Harry was the most popular royal a couple of years ago, wasn’t he?” Bond remarked. “Having watched him grow up and knowing him just a little bit, he was a delightful child and a charismatic, cheerful teenager.”
“At least that’s what we witnessed. He was outstanding for the royal family, bringing a genuine sense of connection and relatability,” Bond shared.
Speaking about Harry and Meghan, Bond added, “They could have been a tremendous asset if he had stayed, but I don’t think he’ll return. If I were someone who prayed, I would pray for him to find happiness now—with the freedom he longed for, the wife he cherishes, and the children he adores.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have remained estranged from the royal family after launching a series of public criticisms through their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, their six-part Netflix documentary, and Harry’s memoir.
Although Harry visited London last month for an Invictus Games event, he did not meet with any family members, despite both his father and sister-in-law battling cancer.
Meanwhile, a recent report suggests that Harry is considering buying a home in the UK as he misses his friends from his homeland.
