A royal expert thinks Prince William was right 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 said that Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, moved so fast 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.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kiss at the 2024 Royal Salute Polo Challenge.AP
Prince William and Kate Middleton at the Trooping the Colour 2024.Getty Images
“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 started dating in 2016 after meeting through a mutual friend. They announced their engagement the following year and tied the knot at Windsor Castle in May 2018.
Meanwhile, William and Kate, 42, dated for eight years before they got married in 2011.
Prince William.Getty Images
Prince Harry.Getty Images
In his 2023 memoir “Spare,” Harry revealed that his older brother cautioned him about dating Meghan, who at the time was still working in Hollywood on the hit show “Suits.”
“She’s an American actress, after all, Harold. Anything might happen,” William allegedly told Harry.
Prince William and son Prince Louis at the 2024 Trooping the Colour.Getty Images
Two years after Harry and Meghan’s wedding, the couple stepped away from their jobs as members of the British royals and moved to the U.S. They currently live in California with their two children and are estranged from Harry’s family.
During the interview with The Sun, Bond claimed that 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.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Florida on April 12, 2024.REUTERS
“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 been distant from the royal family ever since they launched a series of full-scale attacks on the Palace in their bombshell television interview with Oprah Winfrey, their six-part Netflix documentary, and Harry’s memoir.
While Harry was in London last month for an Invictus Games celebration, he didn’t see any of his family members despite the fact that his father and sister-in-law both have cancer.
However, a recent report claimed that Harry is searching for a home in the UK since he misses his friends from his home country.
