Diana's brother has drawn comparisons between the media treatment his sister endured and the coverage now directed at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, describing press attention toward Prince Harry and Meghan as a "cancerous influence in their life."
In an interview with the BBC, Earl Spencer stated that the Sussexes' experience with tabloid journalism echoes what happened to Princess Diana, and he urged people to "learn from Diana's example." He said Princess Diana was "brought low" by press criticism and expressed regret at seeing "echoes of that now" in the treatment of his nephew and his wife. The comments come as Harry and Meghan have recently returned to the UK from California, more than six years after stepping back from their royal roles.
What did Earl Spencer say about the media's impact?
Speaking at his Althorp estate, Earl Spencer was asked whether he believed Diana would recognise the intense scrutiny facing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. He responded by highlighting the particularly harsh nature of tabloid coverage, noting that articles about Diana or the couple in question "can be really, really unpleasant."
"I'm not here to speak for Harry and Meghan, but for anyone who's being destroyed in this way daily, it must be such a cancerous influence in their life."
He recalled witnessing his sister's distress over media criticism, describing how Diana experienced "tears of despair" and was "very, very sensitive to criticism." Earl Spencer characterised the impact as particularly damaging, noting that Diana was "really brought low by all that criticism" and expressing regret at seeing "echoes of that now" in the treatment of his nephew and his wife.
When questioned about perceptions that he favours Prince Harry, Earl Spencer clarified his position:
"I'm on my deceased sister's sons' side, both of them and if either of them wanted anything, then I'd be equally there for them."
What is the history of Diana's relationship with the press?
Princess Diana remained the subject of intense media scrutiny throughout her life until her death in a car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997. At her funeral, Earl Spencer delivered a eulogy in which he accused the media of conducting a "permanent quest...to bring her down" and claimed that newspapers had felt threatened by her "genuine goodness."
Diana married the then-Prince Charles in 1981, and the relationship between the royal couple and the press became increasingly contentious over the following years. The media attention surrounding Diana's life, her marriage, and her personal struggles became a defining feature of her public existence.
How have Harry and Meghan responded to media criticism?
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been vocal critics of their treatment by the British press and the support they received from the Royal Family before deciding to leave the UK. In their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry described the tabloid media as having created a "toxic environment" characterised by "control and fear."
Meghan addressed the relentless nature of the coverage in the couple's 2022 Netflix series, stating:
"no matter how hard I tried, no matter how good I was, no matter what I did, they [the media] were still going to find a way to destroy me."
The couple's legal battles with media organisations have been extensive. In July this year, Prince Harry and six others including Liz Hurley and Sir Elton John lost a privacy case against the publisher of the Daily Mail and may face a legal bill of up to £34.5m. In earlier separate legal proceedings, the Duke of Sussex secured a victory against the Mirror Group in court and reached a settlement with News Group, which included damages, a payout and an apology.
What is the dispute between Earl Spencer and the Palace?
Earl Spencer's comments about the Sussexes emerge amid a broader disagreement with Buckingham Palace over claims he has made in his forthcoming memoir. The Palace issued a strongly-worded response to his assertions about King Charles, stating that the King was "mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgement and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss."
According to a national broadcaster's reporting, Earl Spencer stated in his BBC interview that he had only had two phone calls with Prince Charles in his entire life, and that the disputed conversation was one of them. He insisted he was "hyper alert" to what was being said during that call and maintained the accuracy of his recollection.
When pressed on whether he possessed evidence to support his account, Earl Spencer explained that he had told family and friends at the time what had been said "because it was so monstrous." Responding to the Palace's suggestion that "recollections may vary," he stated: "I'm telling the truth."
What does Earl Spencer's new book contain?
Earl Spencer's memoir, titled Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, is scheduled for release globally on Tuesday and is expected to be highly critical of the Royal Family. According to a national broadcaster's coverage, the book covers Diana's life, her marriage, her death, and the impact on her sons William and Harry.
In extracts already published, Earl Spencer has alleged that King Charles "sounded giddily elated" when he called him after Diana's death, claiming the King sounded like a "lottery winner." These revelations have intensified the dispute between Earl Spencer and the Palace over the accuracy and interpretation of events surrounding Diana's death and its immediate aftermath.
When will Earl Spencer's full interview air?
Earl Spencer's complete interview with Laura Kuenssberg, titled "Princess Diana: My Sister's Story," will be available on the BBC's streaming service from 16:00 BST on Sunday and broadcast on BBC One at 18:30 BST. The interview is expected to provide further detail on his claims regarding the Royal Family and his reflections on his sister's life and legacy.
