Earl Spencer Says Media Treatment of Harry and Meghan Echoes Diana's Ordeal

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should be granted official security because the media is treating them in the same manner it treated Princess Diana in the years leading up to her death, according to her brother, Earl Spencer. Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Earl Spencer emphasized that the experiences of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex echo the relentless scrutiny that preceded his sister's fatal crash in Paris.

Princess Diana was 36 years old when she was killed in a 1997 car crash while being pursued by photographers on motorbikes. Her tragic death sparked global grief and triggered a widespread reckoning over whether the media bore responsibility for relentlessly publishing details of her life across front pages for years.

According to ABC News, Earl Spencer's remarks coincided with the rollout of his new book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, which has drawn international attention. Ahead of the upcoming 30th anniversary of Diana's death, the book aims to celebrate her life while also delivering sharp criticisms of her former husband, the now-King Charles.

Reflecting on the security concerns surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Earl Spencer told the BBC that, from a security standpoint, as an uncle who witnessed his sister die in what he described as very preventable circumstances, he would lean toward protection. He characterized the tabloid treatment directed at Diana, as well as at Harry and Meghan, as deeply unpleasant, adding that it is incumbent upon people to learn from past tragedies.

The publication of Earl Spencer's book and the recent return of Prince Harry and Meghan to the United Kingdom after living in California for six years present fresh challenges for King Charles, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment. The royal couple stepped back from their official duties in 2020 and subsequently relocated to the United States. Following their departure, the British government stripped them of the automatic police protection provided to senior royals, a decision that has prompted a long-running legal battle by Prince Harry that remains under review.

Earl Spencer's new book includes explosive accusations against King Charles, alleging that the then-prince of Wales sounded giddily elated and made incendiary comments in the hours after Diana's death. The author writes that an angry Charles told him the world would forget the princess soon enough. In an extraordinary response, Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying the king is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment, and color memory in ways others may not recognize years after such a loss.

When asked by the BBC how he could substantiate those conversations, Earl Spencer pointed to his acclaimed eulogy delivered at Diana's funeral, noting he deliberately included a line to counter those remarks by stating she would never be extinguished from our minds. He also serialised portions of his book through The Daily Mail, a publication notable for being the target of an expensive privacy lawsuit recently lost by Prince Harry.

Furthermore, Earl Spencer stated that his revelations regarding King Charles would not surprise Prince Harry or his older brother, heir-to-the-throne Prince William. While noting he possesses many more details about the king, Spencer said he chose to omit them from the publication.

The parallels drawn by Earl Spencer bring renewed attention to historical grievances between the royal family and relatives of Princess Diana. Diana's family previously accused the royal institution of displaying a lack of support or care before her death, a sentiment echoed by Harry and Meghan regarding their own experiences before stepping down from royal life. As discussions surrounding security and media accountability continue, the ongoing developments highlight enduring sensitivities within the British monarchy.