Prince William has reportedly declined several offers to take part in documentaries about his late mother Princess Diana, as the 30th anniversary of her death approaches. The Prince of Wales, who was 15 when his mother died in 1997, has turned down numerous offers to co-produce or appear in films honouring the anniversary, which falls in August next year.
William appeared in a documentary in 2017 alongside his brother Prince Harry for the 20th anniversary of Diana's passing, in which the brothers recalled fond memories of their mother and spoke proudly of her legacy. With relations between the brothers now fraught, it is believed William has rejected the offers to avoid a situation where he and Harry are "pitted against each other", according to the Sunday Times.
Harry's plans for the anniversary
Last week, sources close to the Duke of Sussex confirmed that Harry is in talks to produce a documentary about his mother for the 30th anniversary. The insiders said Harry wants to honour Diana's legacy "in the most meaningful way" and has approached a number of her friends and relatives about taking part in a potential programme.
A source close to Harry told the Mirror: "The Duke has discussed a number of possible projects to mark the 30th anniversary of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales's passing, and is still considering the most meaningful way to honour her legacy." Any documentary would be expected to be produced through Harry and Meghan's Archewell Productions, which has a first-look deal with Netflix.
William's emotional stance
Friends of William say next year's anniversary is "a difficult situation for him", and that he remains "really emotional" about his mother's death. Those who know William say he considers his public contributions to the 20th anniversary to have been "a final catharsis" that he does not wish to revisit. The Mirror has contacted Kensington Palace for comment.
The Mirror's royal editor Russell Myers questioned last week if Harry has gone "beyond the pale" by producing a documentary about Diana, and said William is likely to be "furious" at the idea of the potential project. Speaking on the Mirror's Pod Save the King podcast, Russell said: "Of course it is the 30th anniversary of her tragic death next year, everybody has been trying to have their say and they will be of course next year. Archewell productions are apparently going to produce it, as they've got this sort of first look deal with Netflix.
"I mean the rest of the things they've been producing haven't done too well. We had the Invictus documentary, we had the Polo documentary that absolutely bombed. And I just think this is beyond the pale for Harry to be saying 'Well I'm going to do this now'. So, realistically, does Harry have a right to do this? I can tell you now that William will be absolutely furious about it."
Rift could deepen
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said that by the Duke of Sussex producing such a film without the involvement of his brother, it is likely to widen their already cataclysmic rift. Jennie told the Mirror: "Harry obviously has every right to mark the anniversary of his mother's death in any way he sees fit. I'm sure the world would love to see another documentary about Diana, once the most famous woman in the world who remains an icon for many.
"If Harry does go ahead with a new film, William, I'm sure, will maintain the dignified silence he has kept through all the bitterness of the past few years. But I'm afraid it would deepen the rift between the brothers — which is surely the exact opposite of what their mother would have wished."
