Prince Harry says William knocked him to the floor in dispute: report

Published January 5, 2023
Britain’s Prince Harry standing alongside his brother, Prince William — Reuters/File
Britain’s Prince Harry standing alongside his brother, Prince William — Reuters/File

Britain’s Prince Harry says in an upcoming book that his older brother and heir to the throne, Prince William, knocked him to the floor during a 2019 argument over Harry’s wife Meghan, The Guardian reported on Wednesday.

The Guardian said it had obtained a copy of the memoir, “Spare,” which is due to be published on Jan 10. Harry is due to appear in two television interviews to promote the book but The Guardian report reveals actual passages.

“He (Prince William) grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and he knocked me to the floor,” Harry writes, according to The Guardian.

“I landed on the dog’s bowl, which cracked under my back, the pieces cutting into me. I lay there for a moment, dazed, then got to my feet and told him to get out.”

William then challenged his younger brother to hit back but Harry refused. William later returned to the scene, “looking regretful, and apologised,” Harry writes, according to The Guardian.

Spokespeople for the palaces of King Charles and Prince William declined to comment on the report.

William and Harry, the sons of King Charles, were once seen as very close after the death of their mother Diana in a Paris car crash in 1997.

But they have fallen out in recent years. Since Harry and Meghan stepped down from royal duties two years ago and moved to California, they have delivered stinging criticism of the British monarchy and accusations of racism, accusations that the family has dismissed.

According to The Guardian, the dispute with William arose over the royal family’s displeasure with Meghan, Harry wrote.

Harry says William called Meghan “difficult”, “rude” and “abrasive”, which he said sounded like “the press narrative” about Meghan.

Harry has made numerous public statements that both he and his wife were mistreated by the palace and its staff and has accused palace insiders of planting negative stories in the press.

The title of the book “Spare” comes from an oft-cited quote in British aristocratic circles about the need for an heir, and a spare.

According to The Guardian, Harry attributes his father, King Charles, as saying on the day he was born to his mother, Princess Diana: “Wonderful! Now you’ve given me an heir and a spare; my work is done.”

The book also recounts “intensely private scenes and conversations”, The Guardian reported, such as describing his memories and love of his late mother, who was killed in a 1997 car crash, and grandmother Queen Elizabeth, who died last year at 96.

Harry and Meghan got married in 2018. They soon grew distant from the rest of the royal family, announcing in 2020 they would “step back” from royal duties, moving to California later that year.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

To drag a critical ally like Saudi Arabia into unfounded conspiracies is detrimental to Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...