Prince Harry Recalls Easter Argument with Prince William in Spare. Prince Harry recently shared a surprising memory in his memoir Spare, recalling a disagreement with his brother, Prince William, over an Easter tradition. The story offers a glimpse into the long-standing tensions between the royal siblings, which have been widely reported over the years.
A Growing Rift Between the Brothers
The relationship between William and Harry has made headlines for years, evolving from minor disagreements into a more serious family divide. Experts believe tensions began around 2018, linked to Harry’s relationship with Meghan Markle, and intensified after the couple stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Since then, multiple incidents of friction have surfaced, including revelations in Harry’s memoir.
One particularly striking moment involved a misunderstanding over Easter, which left Harry confused and surprised by his brother’s reaction.
The Easter Disagreement
In Spare, Harry recounts an argument with William over what his brother described as a “long-standing” Easter tradition. According to reports in the Daily Express, Harry wrote, “Willy and Kate were apparently upset that we hadn’t given them Easter presents.”
Harry admitted his confusion: “Easter presents? Was that a thing? Willy and I had never exchanged Easter presents. Pa always made a big deal about Easter, sure, but that was Pa. Still, if Willy and Kate were upset, we apologized.”
While giving Easter gifts can be a thoughtful family gesture, it’s not a widely observed tradition, which explains Harry’s surprise.
Childhood Easters with Princess Diana
Harry and William grew up celebrating Easter with fun family traditions, most notably the chocolate egg hunts organized by their late mother, Princess Diana. Ken Wharfe, Diana’s former protection officer, shared memories of the princess personally planning the hunts, with staff helping to hide eggs.
“The boys were both very competitive,” Wharfe recalled. “They’d run around trying to be the first to find the eggs, constantly asking staff where they were hidden!”
Continuing Traditions with Their Own Families
William and Kate Middleton have carried on the egg hunt tradition with their children, holding events at their former home, Anmer Hall. Meanwhile, even after moving to the U.S., Harry and Meghan have embraced the same Easter customs.
As reported by InStyle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex maintain the festive spirit with activities like egg hunts. Their 2022 Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, showed them preparing a Peter Rabbit-themed hunt for their son, Prince Archie, highlighting how the family keeps these traditions alive across continents.
Other Clashes Between the Brothers
Spare also details several other clashes between William and Harry, showing that the rift has deepened over time. One major incident reportedly took place at William’s London cottage, where a confrontation turned physical. According to Harry, William grabbed his collar and knocked him to the floor after making critical remarks about Meghan, calling her “difficult,” “rude,” and “abrasive.”
Harry described his reaction to the altercation: “I lay there for a moment, dazed, then got to my feet and told him to get out.”
A Look at Royal Family Tensions
These anecdotes from Spare illustrate both the family traditions the brothers shared and the growing tensions that have shaped their relationship. Even seemingly small disagreements, like an Easter gift, can reflect deeper divides, offering a rare glimpse into life behind the royal doors.
