Prince William 'thought' Meghan saw royal marriage as 'stepping stone'
What's the story
Prince William was reportedly skeptical of Meghan Markle's intentions when she married his younger brother, Prince Harry. Royal biographer Phil Dampier claimed that William thought Markle saw her marriage to Harry as a "stepping stone" to fame and fortune. Dampier's comments came in relation to concerns expressed by Lady Elizabeth Anson, Queen Elizabeth II's cousin and confidante, about Markle's intentions.
Controversial claims
Here's how the 'fallout' allegedly unfolded
Dampier alleged that Markle never intended to stay in the royal family, which he told The Sun was a concern for Prince William. He claimed the brothers "fell out" over these feelings. However, a source slammed Dampier's assertions as baseless and not factually supported. The source said no one could know Markle's true intentions regarding her marriage to Harry.
Family rift
Harry and William's relationship has been strained since 2020
Prince Harry's relationship with Prince William and King Charles III has been strained since he stepped back from royal duties in 2020. The situation worsened after Harry and Markle accused the royal family of racism and released a Netflix series detailing their grievances. In his memoir Spare, published in January 2023, Harry alleged that William physically assaulted him over an incident involving Markle.
Reconciliation hopes
Harry has expressed desire to reconcile with his family
Despite their differences, Harry has expressed a desire to reconcile with his family in recent months. He acknowledged ongoing disagreements and differences with some family members but emphasized that human life and safety are the main concerns. Harry admitted that some family members may never forgive him for various reasons.