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 in August 2027. The Prince of Wales is said to have rejected the offers to avoid a situation where he and his brother, Prince Harry, are "pitted against each other", according to the Sunday Times.
Family projects around Diana's anniversary
Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, released his memoir - titled Swan Song: Diana, My Sister - last week and is continuing his book tour around America, describing the book as a "loving tribute from a brother to his sister". Meanwhile, it is believed Prince Harry is in talks to produce a documentary about his late mother 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 of her death, and has already approached a number of her friends and relatives about taking part in a potential programme.
William's sadness over those 'making money' off Diana
The one person believed not to be taking part in any major project for the anniversary is Prince William. On this week's episode of the Mirror's Pod Save the King YouTube show, the Mirror's royal editor Russell Myers said the Prince of Wales has been let down by some of his family as they continue talking about his late mother.
Russell said: "He's in this position where a lot of people are talking about Diana and earning money off her legacy, and I wonder if we have now crossed the boundaries of taste and decency."
The Mirror's deputy royal editor Jennifer Newton added: "Well while there's people making money off Diana, the only person who isn't is her other son William, and I think people have a lot of sympathy for him in this situation because Diana was his mother too."
Anger and sadness over broken trust
Russell agreed as he explained: "There is an awful lot of sadness in William's mind. I mean, think of all the people he's been let down by. His brother, his sister-in-law, and now his uncle. He's angry because he's been let down again, but there is a deep sadness from his point of view."
Prince William, who was just 15 years old when his mother died in 1997, appeared in a documentary in 2017 alongside Prince Harry for the 20th anniversary of Diana's passing. The film saw the brothers recall fond memories of their mother and speak proudly of her legacy, which they are both ensuring will carry on. At the time the documentary was released, William alluded that it was the only time he would speak so openly about Diana.
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."
