According to royal commentator Tom Bower, Harry’s concerns intensified after observing how the royal family dealt with controversy surrounding Prince Andrew. Andrew faced severe criticism and sanctions following scandals that many observers believed damaged the reputation of the monarchy.
Bower discussed these developments in his book Betrayal: Power, Deceit And The Fight For The Future Of The Royal Family, where he claims the actions taken against Andrew sent a powerful signal to Harry about how the institution might deal with members who cause difficulties for the monarchy.
According to the author, the situation made Harry reconsider the security of his own position within the royal family.
Tom penned, “The tremors of the unprecedented sanctions against Andrew must have shocked Harry. In public, he remained silent. In private, he realised that his own royal status was no longer invincible.”
The book suggests that William’s firm stance within the royal household has also played a role in shaping Harry’s concerns. As Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, William is increasingly seen as a decisive figure in the monarchy’s future direction.
Bower writes that Harry may be worried about how his brother could approach unresolved tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family if he eventually ascends the throne.
The royal expert warned, “Clearly, William was taking no prisoners. Once he was crowned as king, his brother might well show no mercy to him and Meghan.”
The relationship between Harry and the royal family has remained strained since he and his wife Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties and moved to the United States in 2020. Since then, interviews, documentaries and a memoir have publicly detailed disagreements within the family.
According to Bower, those public revelations may still weigh heavily on the royal household, particularly for William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Talking about Meghan, Tom said, “William would undoubtedly rail against her disloyalty. He might even strip Archie and Lilibet of their titles.”
While these claims come from commentary and interpretation rather than official royal statements, they reflect ongoing speculation about how the monarchy may evolve under William’s future leadership and what that could mean for the Sussex family.