Earl Spencer Says Harry And Meghan Face Echoes Of Diana’s Media Struggles

Earl Spencer, the brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, has drawn a comparison between the media scrutiny faced by Prince Harry and Meghan and the treatment his sister experienced before her death.

Speaking to the BBC at his Althorp estate, Spencer described some coverage of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as “really, really unpleasant” and warned that relentless negative attention could have a damaging effect on those subjected to it.

“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 said.

Spencer recalled the impact that criticism from the press had on Diana, saying she was highly sensitive to negative coverage and that he had witnessed what he described as her “tears of despair”.

He said Diana had been “really brought low” by the criticism she received, adding that he found it a “pity” to see similar “echoes” in the way Harry and Meghan are covered.

Spencer also urged people to take lessons from Diana’s experience.

“I think it would be really beholden on people to learn from Diana’s example,” he said.

His remarks come as Harry and Meghan have returned to the UK after spending six years in California. The couple have repeatedly spoken publicly about their difficult relationship with sections of the British media.

Spencer stressed that his comments should not be interpreted as taking sides in the long-running differences between Harry and his elder brother, Prince William.

“I’m on my deceased sister’s sons’ side, both of them,” he said, adding that he would be there for either of them if they needed him.

The interview comes amid renewed attention on Spencer’s forthcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, following his claim that King Charles told him after Diana’s death that people would “forget her soon enough”.

Spencer has maintained that he was telling the truth about the alleged conversation, while Buckingham Palace has said grief can affect memory and judgment.