William 'rejects Diana film to avoid fresh conflict with Harry'

The Prince of Wales is said to have declined to take part in a documentary marking the 30th anniversary of the death of his mother Princess Diana in order to prevent further tensions with his brother.

Streaming giant Netflix was said to be among the potential broadcasters linked to the project, The Sunday Times reports.

It is understood the heir to the throne wishes to avoid comparisons with Prince Harry’s media engagements, with sources suggesting he prefers to mark the anniversary privately rather than through a major television production.

William, who was 15 when Diana died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, is said to feel he has already spoken publicly about his mother's legacy.

The prince took part in a series of tributes for the 20th anniversary of her death in 2017 and is said to regard those reflections as his final public comments on the subject.

Charles, Earl Spencer, Harry and William walking behind the funeral cortege of Diana, the Princess of Wales

PA Archive

Prince Harry, meanwhile, is reported to have been approached about a number of projects linked to the anniversary.

The Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan have an ongoing relationship with Netflix, which released a six-part documentary series about the couple in 2022.

The brothers previously came together for separate television documentaries marking the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death.

In ITV's Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, William spoke of carrying his mother's influence with him every day, while Harry compared the shock of her death to an earthquake.

More recently, William highlighted Diana's work tackling homelessness in a 2024 documentary, describing it as a source of inspiration. He has also spoken about keeping her memory alive for his children by referring to her as “Granny Diana”.

The reports come amid renewed public discussion of Diana's legacy following the publication of a memoir by her brother, Earl Spencer. The book includes criticism of King Charles and claims surrounding the period after Diana's death, allegations that Buckingham Palace strongly disputed.

William and Harry last appeared together publicly in honour of their mother in July 2021, when they unveiled a statue of Diana at Kensington Palace. The event took place against the backdrop of a strained relationship between the brothers following Harry and Meghan’s high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey.