Nearly three decades after losing his mother, Princess Diana, Prince Harry is still searching for ways to honor her. His latest tribute, however, is proving more complicated than he may have hoped.
Harry, 42, is seeking contributions from people close to Diana for a streaming project marking 30 years since her death, according to Rob Shuter‘s Naughty But Nice Substack, which published the story on Thursday, September 24. Yet some of the people who loved her most are choosing to stay on the sidelines, insiders told the outlet.
Among them are Diana’s two sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes who have declined to take part, per the report.
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“Diana’s own sisters saying no sends an enormous message,” a palace insider told Shuter. “Nobody has to threaten anyone. People understand the consequences: help Harry tell his version of Diana’s story and the palace door could slam shut.”
Many of Diana’s longtime friends still care about Harry, but they have also maintained close ties with Prince William, King Charles III and other members of the royal family, according to the outlet.
“Nobody wants to choose between Diana’s sons,” another insider told Shuter. “But appearing in Harry’s film will be viewed as choosing a side — and people are terrified of what that could cost them.”
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It’s a delicate balancing act, and it reaches all the way into the royal family itself.
For William, 44, the project touches a tender spot. He is especially uneasy with Harry taking the lead in telling their mother’s story, per the report.
“William’s position is simple: Diana was his mother too,” the palace insider told Shuter. “Harry doesn’t own her story, and William isn’t going to quietly watch everyone else define it for him.”
Though it’s been 29 years since the world lost the People’s Princess in a tragic car crash at age 36, Diana’s memory remains a powerful presence in the lives of both her sons, even as William and Harry disagree over how her story should be told.
This story Prince Harry’s Film Tribute to Mom Princess Diana Hits Roadblock as Her Sisters Decline first appeared on Closer Weekly. Follow Closer Weekly on Yahoo so you don’t miss what’s coming next.