royal family

Princess Diana's brother reveals what she would have wanted for William and Harry amid their rift


The comments come as William and Harry's relationship remains strained following years of public disagreements


Princess Diana's brother reveals what she would have wanted for William and Harry amid their rift© Mirrorpix
Daniel NeiraSenior Writer
OCTOBER 29, 2026 3:24 PM EDT

Princess Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, has opened up about the ongoing tensions between Prince William and Prince Harry, revealing where he stands as the brothers continue to navigate their complicated relationship.

The 9th Earl Spencer, who has maintained a relationship with both of his nephews, made it clear that he has no intention of choosing sides in the royal family feud.

princess diana family© Jayne Fincher
Charles Spencer reflected on what his late sister would have wanted for her sons.

"Well, I'm on my deceased sister's sons' side, both of them," he said during a BBC interview in September, offering a rare glimpse into his perspective on the brothers' estrangement.

The comments come as William and Harry's relationship remains strained following years of public disagreements, including Harry's decision to step back from royal duties in 2020, his subsequent interviews, and the publication of his memoir, 'Spare,' in 2023.

Charles Spencer shares his hopes for William and Harry:

Despite the tensions surrounding the royal brothers, Spencer emphasized that his support for his nephews remains unchanged.

Charles Spencer joins his nephews, Prince William and Prince Harry, at Princess Diana’s funeral service at Westminster Abbey on September 6, 1997.© Princess Diana Archive
Princess Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, has shared his thoughts on Prince William and Prince Harry's strained relationship.

"If either of them wanted anything, then I'd be equally there for them," he explained, making it clear that his relationship with each brother is independent of their disagreements.

The historian and author also expressed hope that the situation could eventually improve. "I hope one day it's resolved," he said.

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (R) chats with his uncle Earl Spencer ahead of the unveiling of a statue of their mother, Princess Diana at The Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace, London on July 1, 2021, which would have been her 60th birthday. - Princes William and Harry set aside their differences on Thursday to unveil a new statue of their mother, Princess Diana, on what would have been her 60th birthday. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski / POOL / AFP) (Photo by DOMINIC LIPINSKI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)© DOMINIC LIPINSKI
Charles Spencer expressed his hopes for a reconciliation between his two nephews.

While Spencer acknowledged that there are different perspectives surrounding the estrangement, he avoided taking a public position on the disagreements that have kept William and Harry apart.

His comments offer a different perspective on the royal family tensions, particularly given his close connection to Diana and his longstanding role in preserving her memory.

What Princess Diana would have wanted for her sons:

During the conversation, Spencer also reflected on his late sister and what she might have hoped for William and Harry.

Prince William with Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince Harry on the day he joined Eton in September 1995. © WireImage
Prince Harry has maintained a relationship with his mother's side of the family.

"Of course a mother would want her two sons to be happy together and love each other," he said. Diana shared a close bond with both of her children before her death in August 1997, when William was 15 and Harry was just 12.

The brothers have frequently spoken about their mother's influence on their lives, and both have continued to honor her legacy through charitable initiatives and personal projects.

However, their relationship has changed significantly in recent years, with Harry publicly discussing his experiences within the royal family and his complicated relationship with his older brother.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales with their sons Prince William & Prince Harry in the wild flower meadow at Highgrove © Tim Graham Photo Library via Get
William and Harry shared a close bond growing up, particularly following their mother's death.

A family connection that remains important:

Spencer has remained an important figure in Diana's legacy, particularly through Althorp, the Spencer family's ancestral estate in Northamptonshire, where the late princess is buried.

Harry has maintained a visible connection with his mother's relatives over the years, including his uncle, who attended the Invictus Games anniversary service at St. Paul's Cathedral in May 2024.

Prince Harry and Prince William have remained at the center of speculation about a possible reconciliation between the brothers.© Getty Images
Prince William and Prince Harry have experienced a complicated relationship in recent years.

Spencer's latest remarks underline his desire to maintain a relationship with both nephews without becoming involved in their personal disagreements.

And while there has been no public indication of an imminent reconciliation between William and Harry, their uncle's message remains one of hope, reflecting his belief that the family connection between the brothers is worth preserving.