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Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, has called for Prince Harry and Meghan to receive official security, saying the couple need protection because their intense treatment by the media reminds him of what his late sister experienced before her tragic death.
Diana died aged 36 in a 1997 car crash in Paris while photographers followed her on motorbikes. Her death triggered widespread grief and renewed debate about the role of the media, following years of aggressive coverage of her personal life.
Spencer made the comments as he prepared to publish a new book about Diana, which contains criticism of her former husband, now-King Charles. His remarks also came after Harry and Meghan returned to Britain, six years after stepping away from royal duties and moving to the United States.
Explaining why he believes Harry should have official protection, Spencer pointed to his personal experience of losing his sister. “From a security aspect, as an uncle who's seen his sister die in very, very preventable circumstances, I would veer towards protection,” he told the BBC.
He also highlighted Harry’s position as fifth in line to the British throne and his previous military service as reasons why security remains important.
Spencer said the media treatment experienced by Diana, and now by Harry and Meghan, could become “really, really unpleasant”. He argued that lessons should be learned from Diana’s experience and that authorities should consider the risks created by intense media attention.
Why Spencer Is Calling for Security
The main reason behind Spencer’s comments is his belief that Harry and Meghan are facing a level of media scrutiny that bears similarities to the pressure Diana experienced. He has also personally witnessed the consequences of the circumstances surrounding Diana’s death.
Harry has previously challenged the decision to remove his automatic police protection after he stepped back from royal duties. He has argued that his security requirements remain significant because of his royal position and public profile.
Following a lengthy legal battle over his security arrangements, the issue is now under review.
Spencer’s Book Makes Global Headlines
Spencer’s new book, “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,” has attracted international attention because of its claims about King Charles and events following Diana’s death.
In the book, Spencer alleges that Diana’s former husband, then the Prince of Wales, appeared “giddily elated” in the hours after her death. He also claims that Charles told him in anger that the world would eventually forget Diana.
The palace responded to the allegations, saying the king recognised that the pain of losing a sibling can affect judgment, influence decisions and shape memories, even many years after a death.
When asked by the BBC how he could prove that the conversations described in his book had taken place, Spencer referred to his funeral eulogy for Diana. He said he deliberately included a line challenging the idea that she would be forgotten, declaring that she would “never be extinguished from our minds”.
Spencer said he wrote the book ahead of the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death to celebrate her life and their childhood together. He recalled that their childhood was never dull and said both he and Diana had ADHD, although Diana had never received a formal diagnosis.
The publication of the book, combined with Harry and Meghan’s unexpected return to Britain after six years in the United States, presents another sensitive moment for the royal family. King Charles is also continuing his treatment for cancer.
Diana’s family has previously accused the royal establishment of failing to provide sufficient support for the princess before her death. Harry and Meghan later made similar criticisms of the royal family before leaving their official roles in 2020.
Spencer, who recently hosted Harry and Meghan, has also serialised his book through the Daily Mail, only months after Harry lost a major privacy case against the newspaper.
He said the revelations about King Charles would not surprise either Harry or his older brother, Prince William. Spencer added that although he knows many more details about the king, he deliberately chose not to include them in the book.
