In a development that further strains the already fragile relationship between the British royal brothers, Prince William is reportedly "spitting mad" at Prince Harry following the latter's recent comments in an ITV documentary. The documentary, titled "Tabloids on Trial," has reignited tensions within the royal family, particularly regarding the legacy of Princess Diana and the brothers' differing approaches to her memory.
According to sources close to the royal family, speaking to New Idea magazine, Prince William's frustration stems from Harry's continued public discussions about their late mother. An insider revealed, "William is spitting mad that Harry would reference [Diana] again. He's so fed up with [the Sussexes] cashing in on Diana's death." This sentiment underscores the growing divide between the brothers' approaches to handling their shared history and public personas.
The documentary features Harry discussing his legal challenges against tabloid newspapers, suggesting that Princess Diana may have been one of the first victims of phone hacking in the mid-1990s. Harry contested the portrayal of his mother as paranoid, stating, "I think 'paranoia' is a very interesting word. There's evidence to suggest that [my mother] was being hacked in the mid-'90s, probably one of the first people to be hacked. And yet still today, the tabloid press very much enjoy painting her as being paranoid. But she wasn't paranoid."
This perspective contrasts with William's previous statements about their mother's state of mind, highlighting a divergence in how the brothers interpret and present their family history. The source added, "Harry just won't move on, and it appears that since marrying Meghan, the obsession with his mother has only intensified."
The rift between the brothers has been widening since Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped back from royal duties in 2020. This latest controversy appears to have pushed their relationship to a new low. The insider claimed, "William's getting to the point where he's washing his hands of Harry for good. He doesn't recognize his brother. The decisions Harry continues to make are only making relations with the royal family worse."
Adding to the tension, Harry invoked the late Queen Elizabeth II's support for his legal actions, saying she was "very much up there, going, 'See this through to the end.'" This claim has been met with skepticism from royal insiders, who argue that the Queen would not have approved of family members suing the press.
The documentary also touched on a poignant moment from the brothers' past. In a 2007 interview, Harry shared his regret over his last phone call with Diana, saying, "I can't really necessarily remember what I said. But all I do remember is probably, you know, regretting for the rest of my life how short the phone call was."
As the situation unfolds, royal watchers are keenly observing the long-term implications for the monarchy. The ongoing discord between William and Harry not only affects their personal relationship but also has broader implications for the royal family's public image and internal dynamics.
The brothers, once inseparable, now find themselves on divergent paths, with William preparing for his future role as king and Harry carving out a new life in California. As they navigate these separate trajectories, the memory of their mother continues to be a point of both connection and contention.