Earl Spencer has said the treatment of Prince Harry and Meghan by parts of the British media reminds him of the way his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales, was treated during her lifetime.
In an interview with the BBC, Spencer said the intense coverage of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had similarities to the press attention surrounding Diana, particularly when reporting became highly personal and hostile.
He said people should learn from Diana’s experience and consider the impact that sustained media scrutiny can have on individuals and their families.
Spencer stressed that he was not speaking on behalf of Harry and Meghan, but said he believed prolonged negative coverage could have a damaging effect on anyone subjected to it.
His comments come amid renewed attention on Diana following the publication of extracts from his forthcoming memoir, Swan Song, which examines his relationship with his sister and events surrounding her life and death.
The memoir has also triggered an unusual public response from Buckingham Palace after Spencer made claims about King Charles and an alleged conversation following Diana’s death.
The palace rejected the account, saying that grief can affect memory and judgment many years after a traumatic event. Spencer subsequently criticised the response and accused the king of attempting to undermine his recollection.
The latest dispute has brought renewed focus on the difficult relationship between members of the royal family and the media.
Harry and Meghan have themselves spoken publicly about their experiences with the British press since stepping back from their roles as working royals and moving to the United States.
Their interviews and public statements have included criticism of the media and allegations about the treatment they received while they were senior members of the royal family.
Spencer’s comments draw a connection between that experience and the intense media scrutiny faced by Diana, although the circumstances surrounding the two periods are different.
Diana’s relationship with the British press became one of the defining aspects of her public life. Photographers and newspapers followed her closely, while her marriage to then-Prince Charles and subsequent separation generated sustained international coverage.
The issue remains particularly sensitive because of Diana’s death in Paris in 1997 following a car crash while she was being pursued by photographers.
Spencer has previously spoken about the effect of media attention on his family and has remained an outspoken figure in discussions surrounding Diana’s legacy.
His latest remarks come as his memoir generates renewed debate about the royal family’s history, relationships and the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of prominent members of the monarchy.
The comments are likely to add to the wider discussion over how public figures should be covered by the press and where the line should be drawn between legitimate public interest and intrusive reporting.
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