Princess Diana's Photographer Says She'd Be "Heartbroken" Over William and Harry's Rift
The late princess "would be doing everything she could to try and solve it."
Whatever your opinion on the royal family, it's hard not to feel profoundly sad over the ever-expanding chasm between Prince William and Prince Harry. The two sons of the late Princess Diana have admitted that they're on "different paths" (Harry's words), and the rumored bitterness between the once-close brothers reached an apex when Prince Harry, along with wife Meghan Markle, stepped down from the senior royal family in January, reportedly leaving William, the Queen, and Prince Charles mired in "hurt” and “disappointment." Speaking to Page Six, Jayne Fincher, a royal photographer who watched the boys grow up, said that Princess Diana "would be heartbroken."
Fincher took some of the late princess' most iconic shots, and published a coffee-table book in 1998 of her favorite shots of Diana. She told Page Six: “[Diana] would be doing everything she could to try and solve it. She’d be doing everything to be the peacemaker. She’d be shaking the boy’s heads together saying, ‘For goodness sake. What’s going on here?’ and I think she’d be trying to make peace between the girls, too.” Growing up, she said, the two boys "did everything together...The boys have gone through so much together.”
It's been more than two decades since Diana's death, but both of her sons have shown a deep commitment to keeping her memory alive. Harry said in 2016: "We will do everything we can to make sure she's never forgotten, and carry on all of the special gifts and such that she had and that she portrayed when she was alive." William clearly shares his sentiment, saying in a different 2016 interview: "I never realized quite how much of an impact she had. I applaud her for all her dedication and drive, and I think the infectious enthusiasm and all the energy she had really rubbed off on me."
The brothers were famously close in the years after her passing, with Harry giving a toast at William's wedding to Kate that called William "the perfect brother"; he added that he loved Kate "like a sister." Before Harry formed his own royal household after his marriage, he was very close to the Cambridges, frequently doing events as a three-person group.
There have been conflicting reports about William and Harry's relationship at present; it's been reported that they're both still deeply hurt, but other reports suggest they're beginning to try to fix things between them. With the brothers no longer doing joint engagements and living on separate continents, with Harry in Canada for now and William, the future King of England, living in the U.K., it's hard to say where things will go from here.
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
RELATED STORIES
-
These Ladylike Fall Trends Channel Jackie Kennedy's Elegance
The former First Lady is the undeniable muse of the season.
By Emma Childs Published
-
Jennifer Lopez Is Back—and So Is a Meaningful Blouse
The star is reinventing a familiar staple.
By Kelsey Stiegman Published
-
6 Fall Denim Trends Tested and Approved by Celebrities
Plus the exact pairs Katie Holmes, Zoë Kravitz, Jennifer Lopez, and more are wearing.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Originally Bonded Over Their "Naughty" Sense of Humor
"They've certainly cleaned up their act for the children's sake, but they can still make each other double over laughing."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Reveals Kate Middleton's Surprising Favorite Dessert
Count us in!
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Tells a Fan That He and Princess Kate Don't Sleep Alone
So cuddly.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Inside Princess Diana and Prince Charles's "Utterly Traumatic" 1983 Tour to Australia
Charles is kicking off his first visit Down Under since taking the throne.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Fans Can’t Get over Prince Harry’s Seriously Impressive Surfing Skills in New Video: “In His Season of Joy”
He's a true Californian now.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, Says He Visits Her Island Grave "Pretty Much Every Day"
Earl Spencer spoke with 'Good Morning Britain' about his late sister.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Gives Us a Hint on What His Focus Will Be As King
The Prince of Wales shared some thoughts on his role in a new clip from his upcoming ITV documentary.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Kate Once Called Becoming a Member of the Royal Family "A Daunting Prospect" in Resurfaced Clip
A video from the couple's engagement announcement is making the rounds on TikTok.
By Kristin Contino Published