A royal specialist believes Prince William was correct to be concerned about Prince Harry during the early stages of his relationship with Meghan Markle.
In an interview on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show on June 13, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond stated that Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, moved quickly in their romance, unlike William, 41, and Kate Middleton.
“Kate was given ten years to peer into the goldfish bowl of royal life,” said Bond. “I think it was brilliant she saw all the restrictions and glare of publicity it brings. Because their courtship was so long, she was able to judge that she could hack it – and William could see that too.”
“This is why William was correct to guide or warn Harry ‘Are you sure you’re not going a bit fast in this relationship with Meghan?’ ” Bond added.
“It affronted Harry to be questioned like that but I think it came from a good place.”
Harry and Meghan began dating in 2016. They met through a mutual acquaintance. They announced their engagement the following year and married at Windsor Castle in May 2018.
Meanwhile, William and Kate, 42, were together for eight years before marrying in 2011.
In his 2023 memoir “Spare,” Harry stated that his older brother warned him against dating Meghan, who was then working in Hollywood on the hit program “Suits.”
“She’s an American actress, after all, Harold. Anything might happen,” William allegedly told Harry.
Harry also claimed in his book that he informed William that he thought their late mother, Princess Diana, had helped him “find” Meghan. William “took a step back,” Harry alleged, and told his sibling that he was “taking things a bit too far.”
Two years after their wedding, Harry and Meghan left their employment as British royals and moved to the United States. They now live in California with their two children and are separated from Harry’s family.
During an interview with The Sun, Bond said she “can’t see” Harry ever returning to his royal duties.
“And yes – I do miss him. Harry was the most popular royal a couple of years ago, wasn’t he?” said Bond. “Having watched him grow up and knowing him just a little bit, he was a wonderful little boy and a charming, jovial adolescent.”
“At least that’s what we saw. He was brilliant for the royal family, he did bring a natural common touch and relatability.”
Bond continued about Harry and Meghan: “They would have been a great asset had he stayed but I don’t think he will return. If I did pray I would pray that he has a happy life now with all that he wanted. The freedom he craved, the wife he loves and the children he adores.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have distanced themselves from the royal family following a series of attacks on the Palace, including an interview with Oprah Winfrey, a Netflix documentary, and Harry’s memoir.
Despite his father and sister-in-law having cancer, Harry did not see any of his family members during his recent visit to London for the Invictus Games.
According to a recent story, Harry is looking for a home in the UK as he misses his friends back home.