New insights have emerged about the relationship between Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle.
According to Tom Quinn, a renowned royal biographer, the couple’s bond may have been influenced by their individual societal backgrounds.
Tom Quinn, who wrote the book “Gilded Youth: An Intimate History of Growing Up in the Royal Family,” suggested that Prince Harry has always been overshadowed by his older brother, Prince William.
Despite being in line to the throne, Harry has always played “second fiddle” to William. “You can’t change the fact that William and Kate Middleton are number one,” Quinn remarked.
These feelings of being overlooked and the inherent limitations of the monarchy might have steered Harry towards a different approach to relationships. Quinn states, “All Harry’s complaining is really about the fact that he’s not number one, he doesn’t have a bigger role.”
It is in this context that Meghan, coming from a more meritocratic American society, might have resonated with Harry. “I think that’s why he clicked with Meghan because she comes from a society where if you work hard and you’re talented, you can get to the top,” Quinn added.
However, the aspirations that Meghan might have had were inevitably constrained by the age-old structures of the British monarchy, which Quinn describes as “medieval” and “rigid.”
Prince Harry’s sentiments about his role in the royal family have also been evident in his writings. He has previously described himself as the “Spare” in contrast to William’s “Heir.” He wrote, “Two years older than me, Willy was the Heir, whereas I was the Spare.” Elaborating further, Harry mentioned being a “shadow” and “support” to his elder brother and acknowledged his existence as a backup plan for William.
In a rather grim reflection, he added that he understood his role as being a “diversion” and “distraction” from William. In morose detail, he even mentioned the possibility of being a donor of “Kidney, perhaps. Blood transfusion. Speck of bone marrow” to his brother.
