Prince Harry was apparently supposed to be Prince William’s ‘secret weapon’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made headline news this month as they announced that they would be stepping back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family.

‘After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,’ read their statement. ‘We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.’

The statement continued: ‘We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.’

A photo posted by on

The announcement not only shocked the nation, but also fellow royal family members, with it emerging that not even the Queen was consulted before the news broke. And Prince Charles apparently heard the plans 10 minutes before it was publicly announced.

The news this week however focused on Prince Harry’s brother, William, who like his father was reportedly given 10 minutes notice before the announcement was made.

‘I’ve put my arm around my brother all our lives and I can’t do that anymore; we’re separate entities. I’m sad about that,’ Prince William reportedly said of the announcement, via the Sunday Times. ‘All we can do, and all I can do, is try and support them and hope that the time comes when we’re all singing from the same page.’

According to Penny Junor, author of Prince Harry: Brother, Soldier, Son, the blow must have been particularly hard for William, with Harry hoped to be by his side when William eventually becomes King, even dubbed ‘the secret weapon’.

‘Courtiers imagined in the future that Harry would be shoulder-to-shoulder with William when he was King,’ Penny Juror explained to People. ‘He would pick up the bits that William wouldn’t be as good for. They would be complimentary and side-by-side throughout their lives.’

She continued: ‘That was a lovely picture. Harry was the secret weapon, really.’

Is anyone else hoping for a Fab Four reunion?

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. After working at Marie Claire UK for seven years - rising from intern to Features Editor - she is now a freelance contributor to the News and Features section.

In 2021, Jenny was named as a winner on the PPA's '30 under 30' list, and was also listed as a rising star in journalism.