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Over the years, we learned that Prince Harry doesn’t love having a camera in his face. Recently, he and his wife, Meghan Markle, made it clear that they don’t appreciate press intrusion. Now, a royal author has said that the Duke of Sussex isn’t always fond of fans wanting photos either, despite their circumstances. Prince Harry’s past behavior toward a fan reportedly left one of his ex-girlfriends, Cressida Bonas, questioning their relationship.

Here’s what Harry reportedly said and did when he and Cressida were approached by a fan who wanted a picture for his sick wife.

Prince Harry hosts the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draws for the men's, women's, and wheelchair tournaments at Buckingham Palace
Prince Harry hosts the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draws for the men’s, women’s, and wheelchair tournaments at Buckingham Palace | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

The incident when Harry reportedly ‘stormed off’ after a fan with an ill wife asked for a photo

In her book, The Palace Papers, Tina Brown, who was friends with Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, for years, detailed a couple of blowouts the prince had involving the paparazzi and a fan when he was dating Cressida.

Brown wrote, “[Cressida] knew the relationship wouldn’t last when there was a blow-up on Valentine’s Day. En route to the restaurant, they were driving down Kensington High Street when Harry got word that there was a photographer lying in wait. He slammed on the brakes, did a spin turn in the middle of the street, and gunned it back to Nott Cott for a Valentine’s night of pizza.” 

Prince Harry has been open about his distaste for the press. Hearing that he wanted to avoid the paparazzi doesn’t come as a shock, but somewhat surprising is what Brown said happened with a fan around Christmas.

“At Christmas, more unnecessary drama,” the author wrote in her book, per Express.

Brown explained that, around the holiday, Harry and Cressida had lunch at a local pub in Kidlington, outside Oxford. They reserved a table in the back away from other patrons. Some patrons did spot the prince and his ex-girlfriend at the establishment, though.

One patron told Brown, “As they were leaving, this quite elderly, sweet-looking gentleman came out and said, ‘Oh, sir, so sorry, I know it’s Christmastime, but could I just take a photograph to give to my wife who isn’t well?’ And so Cressida opened her mouth and said, ‘Oh, of course.’ And Harry said, ‘Get out of my way’ and went bright red in the face and stormed off in a huff.”

The author claims Prince Harry’s behavior gave Cressida Bonas ‘serious qualms’ about their relationship

Cressida Bonas and Prince Harry attend the We Day U.K. charity event together in 2014
Cressida Bonas and Prince Harry attend the We Day U.K. charity event together in 2014 | Karwai Tang/WireImage
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Brown claimed that Harry’s behavior left Cressida questioning their relationship, writing, “Incidents such as this gave Cressida serious qualms about sharing her life with Harry.”

The author acknowledged that at other points during their relationship, Cressida had been finding Harry’s world a bit overwhelming. The media coverage of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s first tour overseas with their oldest son, Prince George, was an eye-opener for her.

Brown added that Cressida “found it unimaginable to drag a future baby of her own off on a hectic royal tour … especially with Harry’s explosive temperament.” 

In 2014, after two years together, Harry and Cressida called it quits.