- Earl Spencer has told the BBC the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's treatment at the hands of the media has echoes of what happened to his sister Diana, Princess of Wales.
- He described press coverage of Prince Harry and Meghan as a "cancerous influence in their life" and said it would be "beholden on people to learn from Diana's example".
- Spencer added he worries about the Duke of Sussex "not having any police protection" and that he does not take sides in the row between Harry and his brother William, the Prince of Wales.
- Earl Spencer has backed giving the Duke of Sussex taxpayer-funded security.
- His comments follow a meeting last week of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which is responsible for making decisions about royal security.
Earl Spencer has drawn parallels between the media treatment of Prince Harry and Meghan and that of his sister, Diana, stating it reflects a "cancerous influence" on their lives. He lamented the "echoes" of Diana's experience in the current press coverage, which he described as "really unpleasant".1
In a recent BBC interview, Spencer expressed concern for Harry's safety, stating, "I personally worry about the fifth in line to the throne who’s served in the military not having any police protection". He emphasized the need for taxpayer-funded security for the Duke, especially after Harry's legal battle over his security arrangements in the UK.
Spencer remarked, "As an uncle who’s seen his sister die in very, very preventable circumstances, I would veer towards protection". He criticized the media's role in shaping public perception, urging people to learn from Diana's struggles with media scrutiny. He noted, "It must be such a cancerous influence in their life", reflecting on the emotional toll such coverage can take.
The Earl's comments come amid ongoing discussions about royal security, with the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) reviewing Harry's situation. Spencer's remarks highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the Sussexes in navigating their public lives amidst intense media scrutiny.5
“Spencer described the press coverage as a 'cancerous influence' and said Diana was 'really brought low' by criticism, adding he worries about Harry 'not having any police protection'. His comments follow a Ravec meeting that commissioned new risk assessments for the Sussexes.”
The Guardian
BBC
