Prince William was questioned about his brother Prince Harry’s new memoir during his second public appearance since its release.
On Thursday, the Prince of Wales visited Open Door Charity in Birkenhead with his wife Kate Middleton, after stopping by the newly opened Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
As the couple exited the charity, a reporter asked William if he’s read his brother’s bombshell autobiography SPARE.
“Have you had the chance to read your brother’s book at all?”
As they’re about to leave @theODCharity – the second of their Merseyside visits today – William and Kate asked if they have read #Spare.
They choose not to respond …pic.twitter.com/4OtbDpomCw— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) January 12, 2023
In video footage captured by ITV, the reporter asked: “Your Royal Highness, have you had a chance to read your brother’s book at all?”
The Prince of Wales ignored the question, and quickly walked out of the building with the Princess of Wales.
Prince Harry released his much-anticipated autobiography on January 10, which features more shocking claims about his family.
In the book, the 38-year-old accuses his brother Prince William of physically attacking him, and strongly criticises the relationship between the Palace and the British press.
Following the release of his book, family members and individuals within Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace are reportedly feeling “rattled”.
A palace insider told BAZAAR.com’s royal editor Omid Scobie: “There was a feeling that whatever Harry said in his book would just be news today, gone tomorrow.”
“However, the level of detail given in the book about specific relationships with the media has put it all under the microscope now.”
In his memoir, Harry takes aim at his stepmother, Queen Consort Camilla, over her close relationships with media figures and publications.
“I had complex feelings about gaining a step-parent who I thought had recently sacrificed me on her personal PR altar,” he wrote.
“She was the villain. She was the third person in their marriage. She needed to rehabilitate her image.”
“That made her dangerous because of the connections that she was forging within the British press. And there was open willingness on both sides to trade information.”
“And with a family built on hierarchy, and with her on the way to being Queen Consort, there was gonna be people or bodies left in the streets because of that.”
Further criticising the Royal family’s dealings with the press, Harry wrote: “My problem has never been with the monarchy, not the concept of monarchy. It’s been with the press and the sick relationship evolved between it and the Palace.”
According to reports, Prince William is “devastated” over Harry’s claims about him in the book, but a source said: “He’s not ignoring the things his brother has shared.”
“The dust needs to settle, but… this has been food for thought.”
A former longtime palace aide added: “The public-facing side of the institution may be putting on a dignified silence, but make no mistake that behind closed doors many conversations will be taking place about Spare and what to do next.”
“Yes, there is a sense that a lot of the things that came up, particularly pertaining to the Sussexes’ exit, will be forgotten in time… but the public chatter now happening about relationships with the press, and the actions that have come alongside that, may result in a more cautious approach in the future. A lot of people are watching.”
