Prince William ‘grabbed’ brother Harry’s shirt ‘shouting’ in front of dad Charles

The Duke of Sussex reveals Prince William lunged at him and grabbed him by the shirt in front of their father as the trio tried to talk ‘peace’ after Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021 following Megxit.

The young princes in 2009 during a photocall at Royal Air Force Shawbury, central England. Twenty-five years after their mother’s death the brothers are virtually estranged. Picture: AFP

Prince William twice lunged at brother Prince Harry in a physical bust-up in front of dad King Charles following the funeral for the siblings’ grandfather Prince Philip in April 2021, the Duke of Sussex’s memoir reveals.

While the Prince of Wales continues to keep a dignified silence over Prince Harry’s revelations in his leaked memoir, friends have admitted the older brother is ‘burning’ with anger.

The Sun has revealed more from the leaked memoir Spare ahead of its official launch on Monday.

Prince Harry says in his new book that a “steaming” and “shouting” ­Prince William “grabbed my shirt” as the three of them held peace talks in the gardens of Frogmore Cottage in April 2021.

Harry looks at his older brother William react during the match between England and Wales during the Rugby World Cup in 2015 at Twickenham Stadium. Picture: Getty

In the book, Prince Harry, 38, says he mentioned the Megxit agreement and stated he believed it had been “violated” when Prince William raged at him.

He said his father just “stopped” but does not reveal if he said anything.

Prince Harry has already alleged Prince William knocked him to the ground in an earlier clash.

A friend of both princes said: “William is a sitting duck because Harry knows he isn’t going to retaliate.

“How many shots can you take at a sitting duck? It’s cruel, cowardly and so sad for William to keep taking the punches. He’s keeping quiet for the good of his family and the country.”

Another said: “I don’t know how you can do that to your brother, even if you don’t like or get on with him any more.

Prince William told HPrince arry: “I just want you to be happy” when they clashed at attempted peace talks.

But Prince Harry, writing in new book Spare, claims: “My voice broke as I told him softly, ‘I really don’t think you do’.”

The younger prince also claims Prince William invoked their rarely-used secret code, “I swear on Mummy’s life” — as tempers flared after Prince Philip’s funeral last April 17.

Once were brothers … the young princes with their parents Charles and Diana in August 1995. Picture: AFP

Prince arry claims the pair and their dad King Charles went on a half-hour stroll, arriving at a gothic ruin near Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

They discussed his Oprah Winfrey interview from weeks earlier.

Prince Harry claims he tried to reason with his brother and father, and wanted to discuss bullying allegations against wife Meghan.

But they weren’t listening, he said, and he was turning away to say goodbye.

He says Prince William, who was “really steaming”, shouted at him: “You never came to us. You never came to me.”

Prince Harry expressed his feelings over their Megxit agreement being “violated” when Prince William shouted he should “take it up with Granny”.

Prince Harry wrote: “I waved a hand, disgusted, but he lunged, grabbed my shirt. ‘Listen to me, Harold’.

“I pulled away, refused to meet his gaze. He forced me to look into his eyes. Listen to me, Harold, listen! I love you, Harold! I want you to be happy.”

The Prince of Wales and sons Prince William (right) and Prince Harry, above the Falls of Muick on the Balmoral Estate during a summer break in August 1997. Picture: Fiona Hanson/AFP

Prince Harry claims he fired back with “I love you too … but your stubbornness is extraordinary!”

He pulled out of Prince William’s grasp but claims his brother grabbed him again and twisted him to maintain eye contact.

He says in the book: “Harold, you must listen to me! I just want you to be happy, Harold. I swear I swear on Mummy’s life.

“He stopped. I stopped. Pa stopped. He’d gone there.

“He’d used the secret code, the universal password. Ever since we were boys those three words were to be used only in times of extreme crisis.”

Prince Harry, who while describing this encounter called Prince William his “arch-nemesis” and pointed out his “alarming baldness”, said he was ready at that point to fly back to the US to be with Meghan.

He wrote: “Willy wasn’t quite ready to accept defeat ... ‘I’ve felt properly sick and ill after everything that’s happened and, and I swear to you now on Mummy’s life that I just want you to be happy’.

A world away: Brothers Prince William and Prince Harry with their father King Charles in August 2000. Picture: AFP

Prince Harry added: “My voice broke as I told him softly: I really don’t think you do.”

The Sun on Sunday understands that Prince William did hug his brother and told him “I love you”.

But neither Prince William nor King Charles have spoken about rows or behind the scenes at Prince Philip’s funeral at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Prince Harry also claims he’s always felt he had to go on bended knee to Prince William when asking for his help.

But he does recall happy memories of growing up with Prince William and them blasting partridges on a shoot in Spain.

Prince Harry added: “But now I saw that even our finest moments, and my best memories, somehow involved death.

The Prince of Wales has so far kept silent in response to Prince Harry’s sustained attacks in his scathing memoir but friends maintain Prince William is “burning” with anger and has long been his brother’s punching bag.

The Duke of Sussex has used his autobiography Spare to detail how the princes physically fought when Prince William warned him about dating “rude” Meghan Markle, and his resentment for the heir who he believes has always been treated with priority.

The rift between brothers Harry, Duke of Sussex, and William, Prince of Wales, grows ever deeper with the release of Harry’s scathing memoir. Picture: AFP

The palace has so far refused to respond publicly to bombshell claims in the book to be officially released worldwide on Tuesday but friends say Prince William is “anxious”.

“He won’t retaliate, he never would, because he’s dignified and unbelievably loyal,” a source close to Prince William told the UK Times.

“It’s cruel, cowardly and so sad for William to keep taking the punches. He’s keeping quiet for the good of his family and the country.”

The friend says as Prince William has digested the 557-page memoir, the contents of which are available Spain, discussing it only with his closest family and a small handful of friends.

“He’s anxious and he’s sad,” the friend said.

“He’s concentrating on his wife and his children, that’s what he has. He has to focus on them, and look out for the rest of the royal family. He’s handling it so well on the outside — inside he’s burning.”

The young princes with their late mother, Princess Diana, with Harry looking up to his big brother William before his first day at school. Picture: Getty

The Duke of Sussex always a step behind his older brother Prince William, as seen here following the coffin of their grandmother Queen Elizabeth II. Picture: Getty

Another friend said: “William will be going through a range of emotions — anger, concern and worry — not just for his family but how all this is going to affect the institution.

“He will be thinking strategically and grappling with the personal versus the institutional reaction.”

The brothers on a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in 2016. The Prince of Wales, William, has long been a punching bag for his little brother, friends have revealed. Picture: Getty

According to Prince Harry, the Prince and Princess of Wales invited him and Ms Markle to their flat at Kensington Palace after their honeymoon in a bid to fix the growing rift between the couples.

Prince Harry wrote that upon entering the flat, Ms Markle’s mouth gaped open at the smart decor, priceless art on the walls, books and furniture, exclaiming “wow” repeatedly.

He said their nearby flat was kitted out with Ikea lamps and furniture bought on sale with Ms Markle’s credit card from sofa.com

The Duke wrote there were further issues – including the Princess of Wales complaining Ms Markle said Kate had “baby brain”.

The couples stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018, to watch a military fly-past to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force. Picture: AFP

Prince William told Ms Markle was told she wasn’t close enough to Kate to make flippant remarks and she apologised saying that is how she speaks with her friends.

Prince Harry said Prince William “pointed a finger at Meg”, then allegedly said: “Well, it’s rude, Meghan. These things are not done here.”

“Get your finger out of my face,” Ms Markle retorted.

Prince Harry also claims he was not the official best man at Prince William’s wedding in 2011 because his brother didn’t want him to deliver the speech and it was a stunt for the media.

Instead Prince William elected best friends, James Meade and Thomas Van Straubenzee, who gave the traditional speech at the reception.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent a personal Christmas card for 2022.

He also said King Charles told Prince Harry his wife was not welcome at Balmoral on the day the day the Queen died and said something offensive causing Prince Harry to say “don’t ever talk about my wife like that.”

The King explained Catherine was also staying home with the children and he didn’t want the Queen’s room crowded.

“Well you should have said that in the first place,” Prince Harry told him.