Prince Harry 'supported by William and Charles’ after Meghan’s heartbreaking miscarriage

The Royal Family is united in their sadness for the couple

Prince William and Prince Harry watch a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace
(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have been met with outpourings of sympathy and support after she confirmed that she had miscarried their second child.

In a poignant essay in the New York Times, Meghan spoke bravely of their heartbreaking loss this summer.

Whilst she was recovering in hospital, her husband Prince Harry was also suffering. Now it has been claimed that the Duke of Sussex looked close to home for his support at this difficult time.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the Commonwealth Day Service 2020

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Who did Prince Harry turn to for support?

An insider close to the Queen has reportedly spoken of there being “understandable sadness in the family.” According to the Sun, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex first revealed the news to the Queen and other members of the Royal Family after the miscarriage in July. 

It is understood that it was the Duke’s brother Prince William and their father Prince Charles who supported Harry at this time.

Prince Harry and Prince William join a training day at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

(Image credit: Guy Corbishley/Alamy Live News)

After the news was made public, the couple were met with even more outpourings of support from family, fans and celebrities.

Prince Harry’s uncle Earl Spencer was amongst those. Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, the younger brother of Princess Diana said: "I can't imagine the agony for any couple of losing a child in this way.” He added that: “all thoughts with them today."

How did Meghan reveal the heartbreaking news?

Writing from the heart, Meghan’s essay is both open and devastating. In it, she describes the moment where a painful cramp made her drop to the floor, still holding her son Archie. “I knew,” the Duchess of Sussex wrote, “as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second.”

After the painful realisation, Meghan spoke of the treatment she received and of her husband’s equal shock and pain. 

The Duchess wrote of lying in a hospital bed in July "watching my husband's heart break" before asking him: "Are you okay?"

She described feeling the “clamminess of his palm” as she “kissed his knuckles, wet from both our tears."

If recent claims are true, it seems that any potential rift between the royal brothers has been set aside as William supported his brother when he needed it most.

The royals are speaking out about miscarriage 

The Duchess of Sussex has been praised for her honesty and for raising awareness about this important and devastating issue. Meghan revealed that in a “room full of 100 women, 10 to 20 of them will have suffered miscarriage.”

Following the publication of her essay, Zoe Clark-Coates, of baby loss charity The Mariposa Trust, has reportedly said: ‘When anybody with a platform shares so eloquently about something so heartbreaking, you know it’s going to have a dramatic effect.’

Whilst The Sun reports that Sophie King, a midwife at Tommy’s, a UK charity for research into miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth, has declared: "mothers like Meghan sharing their stories is a vital step in breaking down that stigma and shame.”

Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall attend day 4 'Gold Cup Day' of the Cheltenham Festival 2020

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

This is undoubtedly a huge moment for encouraging a greater conversation about this sensitive subject. Meghan is also not the first member of the Royal Family to discuss miscarriage. Zara Tindall, granddaughter to the Queen, spoke of having two miscarriages before giving birth to her second child in 2018.

Whilst the Countess of Wessex lost her first baby in December 2001 after experiencing a potentially life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. Speaking later, she revealed her ‘unbelievable sadness’ at this heartbreaking loss.

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!