Harry and Meghan’s media treatment echoes what happened to Diana, Earl Spencer tells BBC
Earl Spencer compares media scrutiny of Harry and Meghan
Constantvpn.com – Harry and Meghan s media treatment has drawn comparisons with the experience of Diana, Princess of Wales, according to her brother, Earl Spencer. Speaking from the Spencer family’s Althorp estate, he said persistently hostile coverage can take a serious personal toll on people in the public eye.
Asked whether Diana would recognise the scrutiny faced by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Earl Spencer focused on the harm caused by repeated negative stories. He said tabloid articles about Diana and the couple could be especially unpleasant.
“If you look at an article in a tabloid about Diana or the couple that you were mentioning, Harry and Meghan, you know, they can be really, really unpleasant.”
Lessons from Diana’s experience
Earl Spencer said the public and publishers should reflect on what happened to his sister. Although he made clear he was not speaking for Harry and Meghan, he argued that Diana’s life showed the consequences of sustained criticism and intrusive attention.
“And I think it would be really beholden on people to learn from Diana’s example.”
He described relentless attacks as a “cancerous influence” in someone’s life. His remarks add to a longstanding debate in the UK about celebrity reporting, privacy and the responsibilities of the press when covering members of the Royal Family.
Diana married the then-Prince Charles in 1981 and became one of the world’s most photographed people. Earl Spencer recalled seeing her respond emotionally to criticism, including what he described as “tears of despair”. He said the weight of negative attention had left her deeply affected and “really brought low”.
Press interest in Diana continued until her death in a Paris car crash on 31 August 1997. At her funeral, Earl Spencer criticised the media, accusing it of a continuing attempt to undermine her. Questions around privacy, public fascination and the treatment of prominent figures have remained central to discussions of her legacy.
Support for Prince William and Prince Harry
Earl Spencer rejected any suggestion that his comments meant he was siding only with Prince Harry. He said he supported both of Diana’s sons and would be there for either of them if they needed him.
“I’m on my deceased sister’s sons’ side, both of them and if either of them wanted anything, then I’d be equally there for them.”
Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties six years ago and now live in California. Their relationship with the press, and their criticism of the support available before their departure, have remained a major part of their public story.
In their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry said tabloid coverage had created a “toxic environment” defined by “control and fear”. Meghan later addressed the issue in the couple’s 2022 Netflix series, saying she believed criticism from the media would continue regardless of her actions.
“No matter how hard I tried, no matter how good I was, no matter what I did, they [the media] were still going to find a way to destroy me.”
These comments help explain why Harry and Meghan s media treatment remains such an emotional subject. For the Sussexes and Diana’s family, the argument is about more than publicity: it concerns whether prolonged coverage can become personally damaging.
Prince Harry’s privacy cases
Prince Harry has brought several legal claims against newspaper publishers, keeping questions of privacy and press accountability in the spotlight. In July this year, he and six other claimants, including Liz Hurley and Sir Elton John, lost a privacy case against the publisher of the Daily Mail. They may face legal costs of as much as £34.5m.
In earlier separate cases, Harry succeeded against Mirror Group Newspapers and reached an out-of-court settlement with News Group Newspapers. Those disputes resulted in damages, a financial payout and an apology.
The legal cases have highlighted allegations involving unlawful information gathering and the limits of press conduct. They also form part of the wider context behind concerns over Harry and Meghan s media treatment and the comparisons Earl Spencer has made with Diana’s life.
FAQ: Harry and Meghan’s media coverage
Why did Earl Spencer mention Diana?
He said Diana’s experience showed how harmful repeated hostile media coverage can be. He recalled her sensitivity to criticism and urged people to learn from what she endured.
Does Earl Spencer support only Prince Harry?
No. He said he supports both Prince William and Prince Harry and would be equally available to either of Diana’s sons.
Why has Prince Harry taken legal action against publishers?
His cases have involved concerns about privacy and alleged unlawful information gathering. Some proceedings resulted in damages, a settlement and an apology, while another privacy case was lost in July this year.