Prince Harry feared Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton would be overshadowed by painful memories of their late mother, Princess Diana. Harry feared the wedding venue would trigger his brother during the ceremony.

Prince Harry was concerned a painful memory would overshadow his brother’s wedding

Prince Harry revealed his experience as a royal family member in his autobiography Spare. The book details growing up in the House of Windsor and how he made a new life outside his royal pedigree.

Within the book’s pages, Harry spoke of the day Prince William married Kate Middleton. Their wedding took place on Apr. 29, 2011.

Harry was happy for his older brother. However, he feared the venue, Westminster Abbey, would bring back painful memories. It was there the brothers’ mother, Princess Diana’s funeral mass was held in September 1997.

In Spare, Harry shared details of the evening before the event, “We walked the crowd’s edge, shaking hands. People wished Willy well and told him they loved him and loved Kate. They gave us both the same teary smiles and looks of fondness and pity we’d seen that day in August 1997.”

Harry continued, “I couldn’t help but shake my head. Here it was, the eve of Willy’s Big Day, one of the happiest of his life, and there was simply no avoiding the echoes of his Worst Day, Our Worst Day.”

The next day, Harry said, “I peered out the window, Westminster Abbey. Nothing like getting married in the same place where you did your mum’s funeral.”

He thought, “I shot a glance at Willy. Was he thinking the same thing?”

Over 72 million people watched Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding

Prince William and Kate Middleton wave to well-wishers from the balcony at Buckingham Palace following their royal wedding | George Pimentel/WireImage

Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton was historic for many reasons. The future heir to the British throne was taking a wife.

Princess Diana’s son was getting married. The world watched him grow up, and now he was becoming a husband and would soon start his own family.

The Royal Family Website revealed that the Dean of Westminster conducted the service, the Archbishop of Canterbury married the couple, and the Bishop of London gave the address. After the ceremony, the couple traveled in a horse-drawn carriage procession to Buckingham Palace.

Later, the newly-minted Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stood with other royal family members on the Buckingham Palace balcony. They shared two kisses and watched the RAF flypast.

William and Kate had a formal luncheon given to them by Queen Elizabeth. Later that evening, they were honored at a smaller, less formal and more lively party hosted by then-Prince Charles.

What is the relationship between Prince Harry and Prince William today?

Reportedly, Prince William and Prince Harry remain estranged. Their division comes after Harry left his senior royal role behind for a new life in California with his wife, Meghan Markle.

The couple then began speaking poorly of the royal family, accusing them of racism, uncaring behavior toward Meghan, and leaking negative stories about the couple to the press to protect other royals.

The brothers reportedly had a falling out around Christmas 2018, when Harry told Will he wasn’t doing enough to include Meghan in the royal family. William was reportedly concerned Harry’s relationship with Meghan was moving too fast.

“Part of this role and part of this job, and this family, being under the pressure that it’s under, inevitably, you know, stuff happens,” Harry admitted during ITV’s documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey. “But look, we’re brothers, we’ll always be brothers. And we’re certainly on different paths at the moment, but I’ll always be there for him, as I know he’ll always be there for me.”

He continued, “We don’t see each other as much as we used to because we’re so busy, but I love him dearly. The majority of this stuff [in the press] is created out of nothing, but you know, as brothers, you know, you have good days, you have bad days.”

Prince William has not commented publicly on his relationship with Prince Harry.