Additional Coverage:
- Prince Harry’s rumored Diana film ‘might feel like another betrayal’ to Prince William as rift grows: expert (foxnews.com)
Experts suggest that Prince Harry’s reported film project about his late mother, Princess Diana, could deepen tensions with his brother Prince William, amid their ongoing estrangement.
According to a recent report from the Daily Mail, Harry is said to be returning to the UK to work on a movie marking the 30th anniversary of Diana’s tragic death next year. The brothers, who have been on strained terms for several years, last appeared together publicly at King Charles’s coronation in May 2023.
Fox News Digital reached out to Harry’s Archewell foundation for comment but received no response.
Kinsey Schofield, host of the YouTube show “Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered,” told Fox News Digital that if Harry and Meghan Markle use Diana’s story for publicity, it could “infuriate” William. Schofield noted that Meghan’s creative involvement would add controversy, as Harry has often drawn parallels between Meghan and Diana-comparisons William finds especially sensitive given his personal relationship with their mother, which Meghan never had.
She also revealed that Prince William reportedly played a role in canceling a Diana Award fundraising dinner that Harry was expected to attend after learning Meghan planned to participate with a list of superficial demands. Using Diana-related events as PR opportunities appears to be a sore point for the heir.
“There is a difference between telling Diana’s story and using Diana’s story to validate your own or elevate yourself,” Schofield said. She added that Harry’s commercialization of their mother’s legacy nearly three decades after her death could feel like a betrayal to William.
Author Christopher Andersen, who wrote “Kate!”, pointed out that the brothers previously collaborated on a 2017 documentary about Diana. However, the current estrangement means they are unlikely to work together now. Andersen described the new project, reportedly based on never-before-heard tapes, as “a posthumous invasion of their mother’s privacy,” potentially revealing painful and embarrassing details about the royal family.
He highlighted that Diana’s candid revelations about her struggles and palace conflicts, including her battles with bulimia and her tumultuous relationship with Charles, have already been widely publicized. Any new disclosures could further embarrass the monarchy.
Beyond William, Andersen speculated that King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Kate Middleton are also likely displeased. The timing is particularly unfortunate, coinciding with Prince George’s first week at Eton College, a moment Kate hoped would be celebratory rather than overshadowed by royal drama.
British broadcaster Helena Chard expressed skepticism about Harry and Meghan’s motives, noting mistrust within the royal family. She said their return to the UK seems less about reconciliation and more about pursuing new ventures, especially after their business efforts in California struggled.
Chard revealed that Harry has been reconnecting with Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, and insiders suggest a film project is underway, aiming to capitalize on Diana’s enduring appeal. She described the prospect of releasing emotional audio recordings from Diana’s final days as “heartbreaking,” emphasizing the personal pain this could cause William.
There are also unconfirmed reports that Meghan Markle may narrate the project, a development likely to further strain relations with William.
British royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that William is “undoubtedly disturbed and irritated” by the rumors. She noted that if the film includes private anecdotes from Diana’s friends, it could prove explosive depending on their nature.
Fordwich observed that Harry appears to be forging a new identity by aligning with the Spencer family, whose aristocratic roots predate the Windsors. This move might be an attempt to strengthen public awareness of his maternal heritage outside the traditional royal framework.
As the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana’s passing approaches, the evolving dynamics between the brothers and their handling of her legacy continue to captivate public attention, underscoring the complexities of family, fame, and history within the British royal family.