A royal expert believes Prince William was justified in being concerned about Prince Harry during the initial phases of his relationship with Meghan Markle.
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show on June 13, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond remarked that Harry, aged 39, and Meghan, aged 42, progressed swiftly in their romance compared to William, aged 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 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.
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.
Harry also claimed in his book that he told William he believed their late mother, Princess Diana, helped him “find” Meghan. William “took a step back,” Harry claimed, and told his sibling that he was “taking things a bit too far.”
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.”
“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.”
