Prince Harry’s rumored Diana film could feel like a ‘fresh’ betrayal to William as the Royal rift deepens
Shadows of the past.
The royal rift between Prince Harry and Prince William is showing no signs of cooling down, and a new, unverified report suggests things might be about to get a whole lot more complicated. According to Fox News, rumors have surfaced that Prince Harry is returning to the U.K. to work on a film centered on his late mother, Princess Diana.
With the 30th anniversary of her passing approaching next year, this potential project is already causing quite a stir. Experts believe it could feel like a fresh betrayal to the Prince of Wales.
Back in 2017, William and Harry worked together on a documentary to mark the 20th anniversary of their mother’s death. That was a time when they were still in step, but the landscape today is vastly different. The brothers have been estranged for years, and they haven’t been seen together in public since King Charles’ coronation in May 2023.
It’s hard to ignore how much has changed since the brothers last collaborated on a project
Kinsey Schofield, the host of YouTube’s Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered, believes that if Harry and Meghan Markle choose to use the tragic circumstances of Diana’s life for publicity, it would “infuriate” William. The sensitivity of the situation is compounded by the fact that Harry has frequently drawn comparisons between his wife and his mother.
As Schofield noted, William knew their mother in a way that Meghan never could. In this regard, using Diana’s experiences to reinforce the narrative Harry and Meghan have built for themselves would likely be crossing a major line.
There is also the matter of professional boundaries. Schofield pointed out that there is a significant difference between telling a story and using that story to elevate oneself. She explained, “That is why I think watching his brother commercialize their mother almost 30 years after her death could feel vulgar to Prince William and might feel like another betrayal.”
The tension seems to extend well beyond just the two brothers
Christopher Andersen, author of Kate!, suggests that King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Kate Middleton are likely just as unhappy with the prospect of such a film. He noted that William views the potential for a project like ‘Diana, The Unheard Truth,’ which relies on never-before-released tapes, as a posthumous invasion of privacy. The uncertainty regarding what might be on those tapes is a concern, as they could potentially paint the royal family in a negative light.
Andersen added that the royal family has plenty of reason to be wary, given the history of Diana’s struggles. He mentioned, “Diana’s window-rattling battles with Charles over his mistress Camilla, Diana’s frustration with the Palace officials who plotted against her, Diana’s struggles with bulimia and even her attempts at suicide — all this is bound to be rehashed, much to the abject shame and embarrassment of the royal family.”
British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard echoed these sentiments, noting that there is a deep lack of trust surrounding the Sussexes. She remarked, “The Palace is keen to prevent further damage to the institution of the monarchy.”
It appears that Harry has been spending time with his mother’s brother, Charles Spencer, and insiders suggest that Harry is already reaching out to his mother’s old friends to participate in the film. Chard highlighted that the Sussexes and their partners at Netflix likely view the project as “Netflix Gold,” where the more explosive the content, the higher the financial reward.
The situation is further complicated by reports that Meghan Markle might narrate the story
If that turns out to be true, it would certainly put an even brighter spotlight on the differences between the brothers regarding how their mother’s legacy should be handled. As royal expert Hilary Fordwich pointed out, Prince William is undoubtedly disturbed by these reports, even if they remain unverified. She noted that Harry appears to be aligning himself with the Spencer family, perhaps seeking an identity outside of the Windsor institution.
This sentiment was supported by Richard Kay, the Daily Mail’s Senior Editor-at-Large, who stated on Palace Confidential that Diana’s legacy has dominated the thinking of both brothers for a decade. He believes that Harry is attempting to claim the Diana legacy for himself, which is a major source of frustration for William.
While the Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly plan to ignore these developments entirely, the optics of the situation remain tense. As Richard Eden suggested during the same broadcast, there is a feeling that the Sussexes are acting like a “spoiled child” who continues to demand more, and that the firm approach taken by William and Catherine is necessary to protect the future of the monarchy.
Whether this film project truly comes to fruition or remains a series of rumors, it is clear that the shadow of the past continues to loom large over the royal family. For William, the prospect of his mother’s life being turned into a commercial project is clearly an unwelcome development that only serves to widen the already significant gap between him and his brother.
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
Follow The Mary Sue:
