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Prince William flatly denies Prince Harry’s explosive claim that the brothers engaged in a physical fight. A bombshell biography released this week directly challenges the account from Harry’s memoir ‘Spare’, citing palace sources who insist the 2019 confrontation never turned violent.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Biography Title: Russell Myers’ ‘William and Catherine: The Monarchy’s New Era’ challenges fight claim published February 16, 2026
- Key Quote: Source says Harry’s account was ‘a cheap shot’ and William was ‘adamant there was no physical violence’
- Original Claim: Harry wrote in ‘Spare’ that William knocked him to floor, cracking a dog bowl beneath his back in 2019
- The Dispute: Palace sources acknowledge tensions and cross words but deny physical altercation ever occurred
What Harry Claimed in ‘Spare’ About the 2019 Fight
Prince Harry’s 2023 memoir ‘Spare’ detailed an explosive confrontation with Prince William at Nottingham Cottage. Harry wrote that William came over to discuss his concerns about Meghan Markle’s treatment of palace staff, calling her “difficult,” “rude,” and “abrasive.” Harry described defending his wife passionately. Then, according to his account, the situation escalated when William allegedly grabbed him by the collar, ripped his necklace, and knocked him to the floor.
Harry claimed he landed on a dog’s bowl, which cracked beneath his back. The detailed account became one of the most shocking revelations in the entire book. Harry later told Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes that it was “a pretty nasty experience” but added that William eventually apologized.
Prince William denies Harry’s physical fight claim in bombshell biography
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New Biography Questions Physical Fight Story Entirely
The new biography by Mirror royal editor Russell Myers, titled ‘William and Catherine: The Monarchy’s New Era,’ directly contradicts Harry’s account. Excerpts published by The Mirror on February 16, 2026, feature an unnamed source close to Prince William who dramatically disputes the physical fight claim.
The source stated that Harry’s version was “massively overblown” and “a cheap shot.” According to the source quoted in Myers’ book, tensions were definitely high and cross words were exchanged between the brothers. However, the source insisted there was absolutely no physical violence during the encounter.
Royal Accounts of the 2019 Confrontation
| Version | Account |
| Harry’s ‘Spare’ | Physical altercation, grabbed by collar, knocked to floor, dog bowl cracked |
| Russell Myers Book | Tensions high, cross words exchanged, no physical violence occurred |
| Meghan Issue | Staff treatment concerns versus media narrative debate |
| Palace Staff | Sources cite deep unhappiness and mental health issues during period |
Sources Close to William Defend His Position on Incident
According to the biography, palace sources defend Prince William’s actions during the heated discussion. One source emphasized that William wasn’t simply repeating tabloid narratives but genuinely concerned about how Meghan’s behavior was affecting palace staff. The source stated staff were so unhappy during that period that people walked away from their jobs.
“It was a cheap shot from Harry to present such an argument. Tensions were running very high, and yes, there certainly were cross words exchanged that on reflection were regrettable, but the prince is adamant there was no physical violence.”
— Source cited in Russell Myers’ new biography
How Does This Bombshell Biography Shape the Royal Narrative Going Forward?
This challenge to Harry’s account continues a pattern of the royal family using anonymous sources in books to dispute the Duke of Sussex’s claims. Harry has repeatedly criticized this approach, arguing that palace insiders leak stories to tabloids rather than addressing issues directly. When promoting ‘Spare,’ Harry said every time he tried to speak privately, breifings and leaks followed against him and Meghan.
The timing of this biography release raises questions about whether this is a coordinated effort to rebuild William’s public image. Russell Myers’ book releases in the U.S. on March 10, 2026, and will likely generate significant controversy given the explosive nature of these claims and counterclaims about what actually happened that day at Nottingham Cottage.
Sources
- People Magazine – Coverage of new royal biography challenging Prince Harry’s physical fight claim with Prince William
- Newsweek – Details about Russell Myers biography and Prince William’s denial of physical violence
- The Mirror – Original excerpts published from ‘William and Catherine: The Monarchy’s New Era’
