In 1998, after finishing his studies at Ludgrove, Harry joined Eton, where his older brother William was studying. Eton, the most prestigious boys’ school in the world, was a huge shock to Harry. In his memoir “Spare”, Harry admitted to feeling out of place among the brightest students, calling Eton “a paradise for the brightest boys and a hell for the not-so-brightest”.
When Harry first entered Eton, William gave him a brief warning: “You don’t know me, Harold.” Harry was confused by his brother’s words. William explained that Eton had been his sanctuary for the past two years, a private space where he didn’t want his brother to disturb him. He didn’t want Harry following him, asking questions, or interfering with his social relationships. William was building a life of his own and didn’t want that to be affected.
However, in another part of the memoir, Harry portrays a completely different image of his relationship with his brother, especially around the time of William’s wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011. Harry writes:
“The brother who walked into Westminster Abbey with me that morning is gone – forever. Who can deny that? He will never be Willy again. We will never ride across Lesotho together with our cloaks billowing behind us. We will never share a cabin that smells of horses while learning to fly. Who will separate us? Life itself.” These words show Harry’s regret for the loss of a close brotherly relationship.