Prince Harry and Prince William Once Turned a Bomb Shelter into a Secret Club
"Club H turned Highgrove into quite the hot spot when Dad happened to be away."
Prince Harry and Prince William may not be on the best of terms now, but when they were younger, the royal brothers got up to plenty of mischief together.
In his book Battle of Brothers, royal expert Robert Lacey gave some insight into funny moments from William and Harry's youth. The brothers spent a lot of time at Highgrove House, their father King Charles' country residence. According to Lacey, William and Harry found an unusual way to make their dad's house more fun.
The royals apparently turned "a bomb-proof shelter in the house's cellar into 'Club H,' with a private disco and even a drinks trolley," the Express reported. According to the publication, Lacey wrote of William and Harry's unexpected endeavor, "Club H turned Highgrove into quite the hot spot when Dad happened to be away. In his absence, 16-year-old William—already a steady drinker—and his younger brother 'relaxed' intensively."
Prince William was allegedly responsible for creating the bomb shelter disco. "Club H had been very much William's inspiration, with his older friends largely setting the social pace for Harry," Lacey wrote.
Of course, if their father was at home, William and Harry would likely vacate their homemade disco, according to Lacey. "[T]he two brothers and their friends could all pile out together to The Rattlebone Inn in the village of Sherston five miles away," he wrote.
Prince Harry himself has discussed the special club he once created with his brother. In his memoir Spare, Harry wrote (via the Express), "I hid in the basement beneath Highgrove, usually with Willy. We called it Club H. Many assumed the H stood for Harry, but in fact it stood for Highgrove."
While Harry and William allegedly aren't close right now, it's clear that they have a wonderful shared history of stories between them. Hopefully, Princess Diana's son will one day be able to reconcile.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Amy Mackelden is a contributing editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.
-
Give Selena Gomez's 'Emilia Pérez' Coat the Oscar Already
The symbolic costuming choice is also my winter wardrobe inspiration.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
The True Story of Dolours and Marian Price Is Just As Harrowing As It Seems in 'Say Nothing'
The new FX series is set in Ireland during The Troubles.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Why Did Drunk Elephant Recall Three of Its Best-Selling Skincare Products?
Here's how to know if yours were compromised.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
The Christmas Traditions Princess Kate and Prince William Share With Their Kids Every Year
From incorporating the late Queen's favorite tree to attending fun and festive events.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Charlene Puts Her $65,000 Engagement Ring Back on for Monaco's National Day
Charlene rarely wears the bespoke ring, which was reportedly designed by a Parisian jeweler.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
King Charles Might Snub Prince Andrew This Christmas by Banning Him From Sandringham
Charles reportedly views his brother as a "loose cannon."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Paul Mescal Wasn't Excited to Meet King Charles, and His Reaction Is Going Viral
"Paul Mescal was the only king there."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Gets a Bad Tattoo by Jelly Roll in Hilarious New Invictus Games Video: 'Oh, Sh*t!'
"You wouldn't want nobody else doing this but me."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Harry Makes Surprise Appearance at Major Sporting Event—And Shares What Position He'd Play in Football
The Duke of Sussex promoted his upcoming Invictus Games.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Queen Camilla Relies on Her Six Companions to Help With a Potentially Embarrassing Task
The new ladies-in-waiting maintain The Queen's privacy and stop fans from acquiring "souvenirs."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Kate and Prince William's "Undeniably Sexy" Secret Romance Seems to Be "Aging Backwards"
"You see from their body language what looks like a 'Benjamin Button' love affair."
By Amy Mackelden Published