Why Kate didn't fight for Harry

IN THE THIRD PART OF OUR EXCLUSIVE SERIALISATION, RUSSELL MYERS REVEALS HOW KATE THOUGHT IT INEVITABLE THAT HARRY WOULD QUIT ROYAL LIFE AND THAT, AFTER GETTING MARRIED, THE SUSSEXES HAD AN AGENDA. SHE HAD TRIED TO BE THE VOICE OF REASON BUT COULD NOT STOP WILLIAM AND HARRY'S RELATIONSHIP BREAKING DOWN. IN THE WAKE OF THE OPRAH WINFREY INTERVIEW, KATE BELIEVED THE SUSSEXES WERE NOT TO BE TRUSTED

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William, Catherine, Meghan and Harry at Sandringham on Christmas Day in 2018 Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah in 2021

NOT long before the story broke, Harry had plucked up the courage to share his secret.

She (Meghan) had pulled off a perfect curtsy to the Queen and managed to charm William, even if he felt a little awkward receiving a hug on arrival.

Catherine described Meghan as “friendly”, albeit erring on the side of somewhat over-friendly, with a ‘touch of California’ about her.

Yet the course of true love never did run smooth and the onslaught of the media interest changed things overnight.

The granular details of Meghan's life were suddenly Fleet Street currency and the boundaries of taste and decency became blurred. Harry's reaction was furious and swift.

Without consulting his father or brother, as the hierarchy would normally dictate, he instructed the Kensington Palace communications team to respond at once highlighting “a wave of abuse and harassment ... the racial undertones of comment pieces”.

The media's tone may have dampened, but the interest in their relationship did not.

Harry was infuriated that his father and brother admonished him for his rash actions and the tense conversations left Harry astounded that his own kin were refusing to offer their support.

This period did indeed mark an outward shift in their relations. Suddenly it was harder to get them in the same room, each giving various excuses as to why they could not - or perhaps would not - be available to engage with meetings together.

WILLIAM warned his brother about the speed at which the relationship had progressed, urging him to take his time. Lovestruck, he was in no mood to listen.

A source said: "It's easy to forget now, given everything that has gone on, but William did find Meghan quite refreshing at first. He was genuinely happy for Harry and only wanted the best for him.