William Took Harry Under His Wing at Eton, But Harry Struggled with Personal Turmoil and Temptations
The tragic death of Princess Diana brought Prince William and Prince Harry closer, with William stepping into a protective role as Harry joined him at Eton in 1998. A year after their mother's passing, William welcomed his younger brother into his circle at the prestigious all-boys school, helping to guide him through this difficult time.
According to royal historian Robert Lacey in his book Battle of Brothers, the bond between the two strengthened during their time at Eton, where they spent two closely intertwined years. However, Harry, then 14, struggled with the pressures of school life and temptations that came with his expanding social circle, many of whom were older.
Lacey highlights that Harry’s outward confidence masked deeper issues, and by his own admission, he began smoking marijuana during this time, later turning to cocaine to cope with the emotional pain following his mother’s death. In his memoir Spare, Harry reflected on these experiences, detailing how he and friends would sneak off to smoke in secret and how he turned to drugs as a way to manage his mental anguish.
While William’s support was significant, Harry’s personal challenges at Eton foreshadowed the difficulties he would continue to face in the years that followed.
