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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Rebecca Russell

Diana would be 'mortified' by William and Harry's 'emotional tangle', says author

The breakdown of Prince William and Prince Harry's relationship has played out very publicly on the world's stage following constant comments made about the state of their bond.

The rumours of their rift were seemingly confirmed back in 2019 during Prince Harry and Meghan's tour of South Africa. Harry told journalist Tom Bradby: "We’re brothers, we’ll always be brothers. We’re certainly on different paths at the moment. But I will always be there for him, as I know he’ll always be there for me.”

A further string of comments about their failing relationship suggests a reconciliation is far from being achieved.

Now a well-known royal expert has waded in with his opinion on what Diana, Princess of Wales would think of her sons fallout.

Following the release of his 25th book 'The Queen', Diana's biographer, Andrew Morton, spoke to The Mirror's podcast, Pod Save the Queen, about William and Harry and how their mother would be "mortified" by what has happened between them.

Diana made sure her sons had as normal of an upbringing as possible (Getty Images)

As someone who had spent time a great deal of time with Diana and interviewed her on a number of occasions, Morton revealed to the podcast: "There is no question about it, she'd be mortified that William and Harry have got themselves into this emotional tangle.

"She always said to me on numerous occasions that Harry was William's wing man, that he was the second boy born into the Royal Family.

"She even looked at the past and pointed out that most members of the Royal Family just have a girl and a boy like Princess Margaret or two girls like Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

"She really felt that Harry was there to support William in a very lonely job. She would find it very difficult that they are not communicating, at least not in public."

Diana's biographer spoke to The Mirror's podcast, Pod Save the Queen (PA Archive/PA Images)
Morton revealed that Diana would be "mortified" by what has happened (Getty Images)

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Elsewhere in the interview, Andrew Morton explained just how similar Prince Harry's style was at royal engagements to that of his late mother.

He said: "Prince Harry was and is a natural, he and his wife have got charisma and there is no denying that.

"People do respond to them in a very positive way when they meet him. There is obviously a lot of negativity surrounding their behaviour and their policies but Harry has always been someone who connects.

"And when I see Harry kneeling down with his arm around some kid, I am just watching Diana. It transports you back 25, 30 years."

Princess Diana visiting Chicago (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Morton compared Diana to The Duchess of Cambridge (PA)

Later in the podcast, Morton spoke about how much The Duchess of Cambridge reminds him of Diana, Princess of Wales.

He explained: "I realised after watching the Royal Family for all these years that it takes a long, long time to really understand what it is like to be royal.

"Catherine Middleton has spent ten, twelve years coming to terms with it. So did Sophie Rhys-Jones ( The Countess of Wessex ) and she's got a much lower profile - or did. It just takes a long time to absorb yourself into it.

"Catherine was quite a shy person, so making speeches and being in public was something of an ordeal but I think she's overcome that.

"She reminds me so much of Diana. She struggled for a few years to come to terms with what it is like to be a princess."

The biographer continued: "The great tragedy, I think, is that Meghan and Harry didn't give it long enough to see whether they could give it a go. They were on the out almost before the wedding music had finished.

"Meghan is a natural... she had the great possibility of using her talent and her position to make a genuine change to the world. I don't think she's going to make such a change living in Montecito."

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