The “Princess of Hearts” would have turned 60: In memory of their fatally injured mother Diana, Princes William and Harry commissioned a statue together. Now the brothers want to reveal it. But their quarrel could overshadow the ceremony.
The faces petrified, the gaze disciplined straight ahead: The way Princes William and Harry stepped behind the coffin of their mother Princess Diana in 1997 is one of the most impressive images of the British monarchy. The bond between the brothers, then 15 and 12, was always tight, observers of the royals know. But when the two grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth II unveil a statue of their mother on Thursday for the 60th birthday of “Lady Di” in London, a trusty gang is probably nothing more than staffage.
The relationship between the princes is – to put it mildly – tense. The British tabloid “Sun” speaks of the “warring brothers”. The rift within the royal family is said to be bigger than previously known, and the British press has long since identified the culprits: Harry (now 36) and his wife Duchess Meghan (39). Hardly a day goes by without new allegations against the Sussex couple, who broke their royal duties a year ago and emigrated to Meghan’s home USA with their son Archie (now two years old).
There had been hopes that the family would pull themselves together again. TV pictures showed Harry and William (39) leaving the church chatting animatedly after the funeral of grandfather Prince Philip in April. Two hours later, the two are said to have sat together with William’s wife Kate (39) and father Charles (72), it was a clarifying conversation after Harry and Meghan’s sensational TV interview in March.
William and Harry: Wasn’t there a peace summit at all?
But now British papers are reporting that such a peace summit never took place. William and Kate wouldn’t have seen any point in talking to Harry. Accordingly, they fear that every word Meghan and her friends around US star presenter Oprah Winfrey – the “tentacles of the Sussex network” – will carry to the public, as Robert Lacey in his book “Battle of Brothers” (Kampf der Brothers), which appeared in time for Diana’s birthday.
The list of upsets is long: First and foremost is the TV interview. British media reports that it was a matter of revenge – according to which Harry is said to have agreed, just hours after Grandmother Elizabeth stripped him of his highly valued military honorary title because of leaving the royal family. Harry and Meghan spent hours on US television against the Royal Family and raised serious allegations of racism. Meghan reported on thoughts of suicide caused by the heavy pressures of living under constant public scrutiny. She received no help in the palace.
But the interview was just the beginning. Several times in the past few weeks Harry has complained loudly about life in the royal cage, criticized the lack of empathy by father Charles – and thus indirectly also grandmother Elizabeth. The queen is also at the center of the latest fuss. In Great Britain, for example, it can be read that Harry and Meghan only informed the Queen and did not ask for permission that their newborn daughter would be called Lilibet – after the Queen’s nickname within the family. Against this portrayal, the Sussex couple resisted resolutely.
Princess Diana’s accidental death is still traumatic for many Britons
The joint meeting of the brothers actually offers an opportunity for reconciliation or discussion. Many Britons are likely to want such a reconciliation talk. For them the accidental death of Diana, the “Queen of Hearts”, in the road tunnel of Paris is still traumatic. Diana was on the run from paparazzi at the time, and because of her divorce from Charles, she no longer had any state bodyguards at her side.
In Germany, too, there is still great sympathy. RTL will broadcast a themed evening on July 1st and publish a special issue together with the magazine “Gala”.
Harry always refers to Diana’s fate when trying to explain the move from the agitated UK to the US. But it is questionable whether the princes take the time. Harry, who had to isolate himself for several days due to the British Corona entry rules, will stay in England long enough to talk to brother William. For the date on July 1st, there is probably only one truce.
They have a lot in common – their daughters are called Diana, each with a first name. But there is hope, according to the Sunday Mail. The Queen, the paper writes, wants to invite Harry and Meghan to the 70th anniversary of their accession to the throne next year – the Queen is handing the couple the “peace branch”.
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