Prince Harry’s rumored television film about his late mother, Princess Diana, could significantly deepen the ongoing royal rift with Prince William, according to royal commentators examining plans for the project ahead of the thirtieth anniversary of Diana’s death next year. The project has sparked concerns that using the late princess’s experiences to validate the Sussexes’ personal narrative may feel like a betrayal to the Prince of Wales.
Rumored Diana Film Plans and the 30th Anniversary
Prince Harry has reportedly begun reaching out to Princess Diana’s friends and associates to produce a television movie about her life, according to a report from the Daily Mail cited by Fox News Digital and OK! Magazine. The reported outreach comes ahead of the thirtieth anniversary of Diana’s death in 1997. Author Rob Shuter noted the outreach to associates, while other commentators point to previous family tensions surrounding media projects. In 2017, William and Harry collaborated on a documentary about their late mother, but subsequent years have seen deep estrangement, with the brothers’ last public joint outing occurring at King Charles’s coronation in May 2023.
Expert Warnings on Commercializing Legacy
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield, host of YouTube’s “Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered,” told Fox News Digital that any project utilizing Diana’s tragic death for publicity would “infuriate” William, particularly if Meghan Markle were involved creatively. Schofield noted that because Harry has frequently drawn parallels between his wife and his late mother—whom Meghan never met—William could view the production as crossing a line. “If the documentary began using Diana’s experiences to reinforce Harry and Meghan’s existing narrative about themselves, I think that would be where it becomes too much for William,” Schofield stated, adding that watching his brother commercialize their mother could feel “vulgar” and act as “another betrayal.”
Did you know? Prince William and Prince Harry previously collaborated on a documentary about their late mother in 2017 before their estrangement.
Canceled Diana Award Dinner and PR Tensions
Tensions surrounding public events honoring the late princess reportedly extend beyond film projects. Schofield alleged that a Diana Award fundraising dinner, which Harry was expected to attend, was canceled by William after he learned that Meghan planned to attend and had submitted a list of superficial asks regarding her presence. According to Schofield, using a Diana-related event as a public relations opportunity particularly infuriates the heir to the throne. Meanwhile, author Christopher Andersen, who wrote the book Kate!, told Fox News Digital that upcoming archival material such as the three-part documentary Diana, The Unheard Truth—which draws on unreleased audio tapes—also represents a posthumous invasion of privacy that risks embarrassing the royal family by rehashing painful historical events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why might Prince Harry’s rumored Diana film cause friction with Prince William?
According to royal expert Kinsey Schofield, the project risks infuriating William if it uses Princess Diana’s life experiences to reinforce Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s personal narrative, especially given that Meghan never met Diana.
When is the anniversary associated with the rumored film project?
Reports indicate the project is being planned ahead of the thirtieth anniversary of Princess Diana’s death next year.
Have the brothers previously collaborated on projects about their mother?
Yes, Prince William and Prince Harry previously collaborated on a documentary about their late mother in 2017 before their estrangement.
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