Now, the royal household is closely monitoring the interactions between Prince George and his siblings, a response triggered by the intense drama that unfolded between Prince William and Harry following the release of Harry’s memoir titled “Spare.”
Royal expert Christopher Andersen, speaking exclusively to Us Weekly, emphasized the importance of considering George’s emotions in relation to his siblings. Andersen highlighted the pressure that George faces as a future king and stressed the significance of his bond with his sister, Princess Charlotte, and his brother, Prince Louis. According to Andersen, they could serve as sources of support to alleviate some of the burdens and responsibilities that come with his position.
Additionally, Andersen, the author of “The King: The Life of King Charles III,” pointed out that while the siblings want to provide support, they also don’t want to feel overshadowed by George’s future role.
Prince William, 41, and his wife, Princess Kate, who share three children, George (10), Charlotte (8), and Louis (5), are acutely aware of the potential consequences when a “spare” sibling feels overlooked or marginalized.
Andersen conveyed the royal family’s desire to prevent another situation where a member of the younger generation writes a revealing book, similar to Harry’s memoir “Spare.” The painful experience of Harry living in his brother’s shadow and feeling hurt by it is something they are keen to avoid replicating.
Furthermore, Andersen highlighted that the dynamics between George and his younger siblings are healthier than the typical dynamics observed within the royal family.
While acknowledging the natural ups and downs in sibling relationships, the spotlight was firmly on the discord between William and Harry when Harry’s memoir was published in 2023. In the memoir, Harry described William as his “archnemesis” and recounted his experiences of being labeled as the “spare” in the royal lineage by his own family.
Harry vividly shared how he felt relegated to a supporting role, always on standby, be it for backup, distraction, or even as a spare part like a kidney or blood transfusion. He claimed that this perception of him was made clear from the outset of his life’s journey and consistently reinforced.
Beyond these revelations, Harry went on to detail numerous physical altercations between himself and William throughout their lives. He even alleged a particular incident in 2019 when William confronted him over his marriage to Meghan Markle. In Harry’s account, William criticized Meghan and engaged in a physical altercation with Harry at their home, damaging Harry’s possessions in the process.