Prince Harry has once again found himself at the center of controversy within the British royal family, this time reigniting Prince William's anger by referencing their late mother, Princess Diana, in a recent interview. The Duke of Sussex's appearance in the ITV documentary "Tabloids on Trial," where he discussed his ongoing legal battles with British tabloid newspapers, has reportedly infuriated his older brother.
In the documentary, which aired late last month, Prince Harry speculated that Princess Diana was allegedly hacked by tabloid journalists before her tragic death in a car crash in 1997. This mention of their mother has reportedly sparked a renewed ire in Prince William, who feels that Harry is "cashing in" on Diana's death.
An unnamed source told the Australian magazine New Idea, "William is spitting mad that Harry would reference this again. He's so fed up with [the Sussexes] cashing in on Diana's death. Harry just won't move on and it appears that since marrying Meghan [Markle], the obsession with his mother has only intensified."
According to the source, Prince William is reaching a breaking point with his younger brother. "He's getting to the point where he's washing his hands of Harry for good," the insider claimed. This latest development underscores the deepening rift between the brothers, who have been estranged since Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal duties and relocated to California in 2020.
During his sit-down with ITV News journalist Rebecca Barry, Prince Harry elaborated on his reasons for suing U.K. publications over allegations of phone hacking and other unlawful activities. He explained that these intrusions into his privacy have caused him "paranoia, fear, worry, concern" and led to a profound distrust of the people around him. Prince Harry also alleged that Princess Diana was a victim of similar acts but was portrayed by the press as "paranoid."
He stated, "There is evidence to suggest that she was being hacked in the mid-'90s, probably one of the first people to be hacked, and yet still today, the press, the tabloid press very much enjoy painting her as being paranoid. But she wasn't paranoid, she was absolutely right about what was happening to her. And she's not around today to find out the truth."
Prince Harry admitted that his ongoing fight against the tabloids has significantly contributed to the rift within the royal family. "I think that's certainly a central piece to it," he said. This acknowledgment sheds light on the complex dynamics at play between the brothers and within the broader royal family.
The strained relationship between Prince Harry and Prince William has been well-documented, particularly since the publication of Harry's bombshell memoir "Spare." An unnamed source told Page Six last month that the brothers have not been on speaking terms for over two years, and that Prince William was "furious" over the revelations in the memoir.
This latest episode marks another chapter in the ongoing saga of tension and estrangement between the once-close brothers. It also highlights the broader issues at play, including the impact of media intrusion on their lives and the different paths they have chosen.