He went further, insisting: “I can guarantee you right now that I never saw a fight break out, a punch-up occur, or a shouting match take place between William and Harry. If it did, you’d know about it, because Highgrove isn’t that big. If you shouted, someone would hear you.”

For Harrold, the allegation doesn’t ring true. “William hasn’t got that in him, that’s not him. Don’t get me wrong, he gets frustrated, but he’s not got it in him to fight his brother.”

William’s Perspective

While Harry has since spoken of his hope for “reconciliation,” Harrold believes William has every right to feel hurt by his brother’s accusations.

“William will definitely see everything Harry has said as an attack,” he said, pointing out the negative portrayals of Catherine in Spare. Harry described his sister-in-law grimacing when Meghan borrowed lip gloss, and claimed she reduced Meghan to tears over Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress.

Harrold argued: “He’s made her seem difficult, petulant, cold, especially when it comes to her relationship with Meghan.”

Comparing William to his grandmother, he added: “William is a lot like Queen Elizabeth in that his family always comes first. He’s someone that sticks to his guns – much more so than his father. He’s stubborn, but not in a bad way. He’s principled. I doubt he’s willing to back down after everything Harry’s said – especially given the possibility of further damaging accusations.”

Remembering a Different Harry

Harrold says the Harry he knew during his service is very different from the Harry seen today.

“The Harry I knew was playful. In the book, I recall he and William chasing me around Highgrove with water balloons. He was cheeky. He’d joke around with me, he’d wind me up,” Harrold recalled. “He was very much a practical joker, but he also had a humble side.”

He shared an anecdote of Harry cleaning up after a dog accident at Wood Farm, insisting on doing it himself. “I thought his attitude was brilliant,” Harrold said.

By contrast, he feels today’s Harry has changed beyond recognition. “I think people are worried — or more aware — of having connections to Harry nowadays, because you don’t know if he’s going to cause a problem later down the line. The Harry now is definitely a different Harry. Sadly, that old Harry is gone. Even if he was to return to the UK now, he’d be coming back a very different Harry.”