It was a powerful thing for Harry to say, and destructive too.
Yes, we all know he didn’t like royal life – something he has spoken about often since quitting in 2020 – but to bring up Diana’s death, which happened after a Paris car crash in 1997, and to claim it was royal life and her role which “killed” her… that’s something else.
And I can’t even begin to imagine Prince William’s reaction.
Not only did Harry bring up their mother’s death in the speech, but he also linked it to the royal institution. The institution in which Prince William will, after his father King Charles, become head of.
It’s a double blow – emotionally and professionally. And if I were Prince William, I would probably be raging. Because bringing up their mother in criticism of royal life is probably a step too far, and one that William is unlikely to forgive and forget anytime soon.
In fact, I can only imagine that these comments will have pushed any chance of reconciliation between the estranged brothers further away than ever before.
As for King Charles’ reaction? One can only wonder what this will be, especially as the King and Harry had only recently started to repair their fractured relationship before Harry stepped his foot in it again.
It was only ever going to be a matter of time.