Earl Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, expressed in a recent interview that the media’s treatment of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle echoes the experiences of his sister. He described the press coverage surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as a “toxic influence” on their lives, urging people to learn from Diana’s example during an interview with BBC.
Harry and Meghan, who returned to the UK recently after stepping back from their royal duties six years ago, have frequently criticized the media’s portrayal of them.
Spencer’s comments come after he revealed that King Charles had told him in a phone call shortly after Diana’s death that people would soon forget her. “When you read a tabloid article about Diana or about Harry and Meghan, it can be truly unpleasant. People should learn from Diana’s example. I am not here to speak for Harry and Meghan, but for anyone suffering from such daily torment, it must be a severely damaging influence on their life,” he stated.
He recalled witnessing Diana’s “tears of despair” as she discussed the impact of media coverage, noting her heightened sensitivity to criticism. Spencer remarked that his sister, who married Prince Charles in 1981, was significantly affected by public scrutiny.
While there is a perception in the media that he supports Harry, he clarified, “I am on the side of my deceased sister’s sons, both of them, and if either of them needs anything, I would stand by them equally.” Diana was constantly under media scrutiny until her tragic death in a car accident in Paris on August 31, 1997, at the age of 36.
During her funeral, Spencer criticized the press for their relentless pursuit, asserting they were threatened by her “genuine goodness.”
Spencer’s Truth
This BBC interview marks Spencer’s first public statement following Buckingham Palace’s strong response to his remarks concerning King Charles. The Palace indicated that the sorrow from losing a loved one can cloud judgment and understanding, even years later.
Responding to the Palace’s statement, Spencer questioned whether the King was angry or embarrassed by the claims. He recounted, “In my entire life, I have only had two phone conversations with Prince Charles. I was extremely careful in what he said, and those are the exact words he used, and I promise you that. That’s what he said,” he asserted.
When pressed for evidence to support his claims, he mentioned that he had shared the details with family and friends at the time due to the gravity of the matter. Referring to the Palace’s rebuttal of his account, he remarked, “They tried to somehow dilute it, didn’t they? They said memories may vary. I am speaking the truth.”
Earl Spencer’s forthcoming book, “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,” is set to be published next week and is anticipated to contain sharp critiques of the royal family. In previously released excerpts, he claimed that King Charles “seemed extremely enthusiastic” during their call after Diana’s death, describing him as sounding like “a lottery winner.”
