Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s ‘Unpleasant’ Media Treatment Echoes Criticism Princess Diana Faced, Charles Spencer Says

Latoya GayleSun, September 20, 2026 at 12:57 PM UTC

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Princess Diana with her brother, Charles Spencer in 1985; Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Feb. 2026Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty; Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty -

Charles Spencer compared the media scrutiny faced by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to the harsh treatment his sister, the late Princess Diana, endured in a new interview

The 9th Earl Spencer emphasized Diana’s sensitivity to criticism and the emotional toll it took on her life

Spencer also clarified his support of Diana’s sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, amid their rift

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are receiving negative attention that “echoes” the scrutiny the late Princess Diana also experienced, according to her brother, Charles Spencer.

During an appearance on BBC News to promote his book Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, the 9th Earl Spencer addressed concerns that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are facing criticism similar to what Diana faced before she died in a car crash in Paris at the age of 36 in August 1997.

Spencer, 62, famously described Diana as “the most hunted person of the modern age” in the eulogy delivered at her funeral, while blasting the treatment she endured from the press and the royal establishment.

“If you look at an article in a tabloid about Diana or the couple that you’re mentioning, Harry and Meghan, they can be really, really unpleasant,” Charles told BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg from his Althorp estate. “I think it would be really beholden on people to learn from Diana’s example.”

Charles Spencer on BBC NewsCredit: BBC News

Kuenssberg brought up two concerning claims made by the Sussexes, who recently returned to the U.K. from California six years after stepping back from royal duties.

Prince Harry, 42, spoke out about a lack of support from the institution with his life choices, while Meghan, 45, once described herself as “the most trolled person in the entire world.”

“I’m not here to speak for Harry and Meghan, but for anyone who is being destroyed in this way daily, it must be such a cancerous influence in their life,” said Spencer, recalling how he saw sister Diana’s “tears of despair” in response to the media coverage that she received.

“One of the problems with Diana was she was very sensitive to the criticism,” he continued of the late Princess of Wales. “I’m sure most of your viewers think ‘she had this splendid life and it was all amazing, she was so privileged and perfect in so many ways,’ but she was really brought low by all of that criticism.”

“I suppose it’s a pity when I see echoes of that now,” Spencer added.

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Prince Harry and Meghan MarkleCredit: Ian Vogler - WPA Pool/Getty

Diana and then-Prince Charles welcomed Prince William in 1982, followed by Prince Harry in 1984. She was stripped of her HRH styling and became Diana, Princess of Wales, following her divorce from Charles in 1996.

During his BBC interview, the 9th Earl Spencer clarified the media perception that he has chosen a side amid Prince Harry and Prince William’s unresolved rift.

“I think there is a perception in the media that I am on Harry’s side,” said Spencer. “Well, I’m on my deceased sister’s sons’ side, both of them, and if either of them wanted anything, I would be equally there for them.”

“I never get involved in one camp or the other except as a benign figure, I hope. That’s my role,” he added.

Diana, Princess of WalesCredit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty

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Spencer previously told PEOPLE that he was haunted by the thought that he could’ve done more to protect Diana.

“I was furious, I wasn’t just angry,” said Spencer in 2017. “[I thought] what could I have done? But you always think, God, I wish I could’ve protected her. It was just … it was devastating.”

“I always felt … intensely protective towards her,” he added.

Swan Song: Diana, My Sister will be available to purchase wherever books are sold on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”