Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, has spoken about the media treatment of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, saying he sees echoes of what happened to his sister.
In a BBC interview, Spencer said the way the press treats the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reminds him of the criticism Diana faced during her life. He said some tabloid coverage of Harry and Meghan can be “really, really unpleasant” and argued that people should learn from what happened to Diana.
Spencer also described the press coverage surrounding Harry and Meghan as a “cancerous influence” in their lives. He said he was not speaking on their behalf, but added that anyone facing that kind of constant criticism must find it extremely difficult.
Diana, who died in a 1997 car crash in Paris, had a complicated relationship with the British media. Her brother pointed to the intense criticism and attention she received and said he sees similarities in the way Harry and Meghan are covered today.
Harry and Meghan have spoken publicly for years about their difficult relationship with the British press. Harry previously said the tabloid media had helped create what he described as a toxic environment around his family.
Spencer’s comments come while attention is already focused on his forthcoming memoir about Diana. The book has also sparked a separate dispute with King Charles over Spencer’s claims about conversations following Diana’s death, which Buckingham Palace has pushed back against.
His latest remarks add another layer to the ongoing discussion about the media’s treatment of the royal family and the parallels he believes can be seen between Diana’s experience and that of Harry and Meghan.