Charles Spencer speaks out on Prince William and Prince Harry fall-out
Charles Spencer has finally addressed the question of where he stands amid the long-running rift between his nephews, Prince William and Prince Harry.
The Earl Spencer has been making headlines ahead of the release of his deeply personal new book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, which explores his relationship with his late sister, Princess Diana, as well as the events surrounding her death and funeral.
The work attracted huge attention following its first announcement, which continued after extracts were shared that included claims about the then Prince Charles' reaction to Diana's death, as well as Spencer's recollections of their conversations.
With so much focus on the Spencer family's history with the Windsors, there was also anticipation over whether Diana's brother would address the estranged relationship between her two sons.
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Speaking to the BBC about William and Harry's relationship ahead of the memoir's release on 22 September, Spencer was asked directly where he stood on the pair's ongoing estrangement.
"I think there is a perception in the media that I am on Harry's side," the 62-year-old said. "Well, 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."
Spencer continued: "And I never get involved in one camp or the other, except as a benign figure, I hope."
He went on to acknowledge that there are 'a lot of reasons on both sides' behind how the brothers' relationship reached its current point, while making clear that he does not consider himself close enough to the situation to know every detail.
"I hope one day it's resolved," Spencer continued. "But I don't know all. I certainly don't know what's been done in the finer detail, and so I would feel intrusive if I got more involved than to say, of course, a mother would want her two sons to be happy together and love each other."
His comments come as William, 44, and Harry, 42, remain largely separated - despite the latter having now returned to the UK following a six-year absence - with royal sources reporting that the brothers currently have no direct contact.
The relationship between Diana's sons appears to have deteriorated over several years following Harry's decision to resign from his royal duties with wife Meghan Markle in 2020, citing alleged mistreatment from some senior royals and abuse from the British tabloid media.
The couple subsequently fled to the US with their seven-year-old son Archie, where they later welcomed their daughter Lilibet, now four.
Despite this, Harry has spoken publicly about wanting to repair his relationship with his family.
In a BBC interview last year, he claimed: "I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point continuing to fight any more; life is precious."
However, the relationship between the brothers seems to have remained particularly difficult.
William and Harry have only crossed paths sporadically in recent years, including at the funeral of their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes in Norfolk in 2024, where they were reportedly seated apart.
Spencer's comments also come during a period of tentative movement elsewhere within the royal family.
Harry has recently reconnected with his father, King Charles, with the pair having spoken since Harry and Meghan returned to the UK.
For Spencer, however, it sounds as though in the face of whatever has happened between Diana's sons, he intends to remain neutral.
"Of course a mother would want her two sons to be happy together and love each other," he told the BBC.
Topics: Royal Family, UK News, Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess Diana
Rhianna Benson