The Duke’s decision to make a personal documentary is likely to infuriate the Prince of Wales, who has silently endured high-profile revelations about his family life from his brother in recent years.
A source close to Prince Harry told The Telegraph: “The Duke has discussed a number of possible projects to mark the 30th anniversary of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales’s passing.
“Nothing has been finalised or confirmed, and he is still considering the most meaningful way to honour her legacy during this important anniversary year.”
Such a programme would be produced by the Sussexes’ Archewell Productions and would probably be bought by Netflix, which has a “first look” deal with Harry and Meghan.
It will be viewed by some as a power move in the battle for the Princess’s legacy. Kensington Palace has not commented on how Prince William might mark the anniversary.
Nine years ago, the brothers joined forces to contribute to two documentaries about their mother to mark the 20th anniversary of her death, but such a collaboration now appears inconceivable.
‘The truth is difficult’
In writing his memoir, published on Tuesday, the Earl, 62, ensured he was first out of the blocks in the latest race to tell his late sister’s story. He told The Telegraph it deserved to be told “honestly, however uncomfortable for others”.
He said: “I was an eyewitness to history, and where the truth is difficult, I haven’t shied away from it.
“I did not consult any members of my family about the content of the book, as I did not want to implicate them in my authorial decisions, or to be constrained by them. I hope readers will see the book for what it is: an honest account.”
Neither Prince William nor Prince Harry was given any indication about the book’s contents. Similarly, the Earl is not thought to have consulted his sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, about their memories, choosing instead to create an entirely personal record.
The memoir has already prompted a fierce war of words with Buckingham Palace about comments attributed to the King, who was the Prince of Wales when Diana died in Paris aged 36.
In the book, the Earl claims that in the aftermath of her death, the King told him “rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough”, and spoke to the Earl with a “giddy tone”, like a “lottery winner”.