Prince Harry was disappointed with the family (Image: (Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage))
A new book claims Prince Harry introduced Meghan Markle to his late mother Diana’s sisters, but they did not think the Suits actress was like the Princess of Wales at all
Prince Harry has often drawn comparisons between his wife, Meghan Markle, and his late mother, Princess Diana, emphasizing shared qualities such as compassion, empathy, and warmth. However, his efforts to highlight these similarities were met with disappointment when Diana’s family failed to see the resemblance. According to Tom Bower’s book Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors, Harry introduced Meghan to Diana’s sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Baroness Jane Fellowes, as well as her best friend Julia Samuel, hoping they would recognize parallels between Meghan and Diana. Instead, they voiced concerns about Meghan’s compatibility with royal life and dismissed any significant similarities between her and Diana.
Disappointment Over Family Reactions
Harry believed that both Meghan and Diana faced similar challenges as vulnerable women navigating public scrutiny. However, Diana’s family did not agree with this perspective. Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother, reportedly warned Harry about rushing into marriage with Meghan, suggesting she might struggle to fit into royal life. This advice, requested by Prince William, provoked a strong reaction from Harry, who later reflected on the difficulties of integrating Meghan into the royal fold.
Harry’s Perspective on Meghan and Diana
Despite the lack of familial support for his comparisons, Harry has consistently expressed his belief in Meghan’s resemblance to his mother. In the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, he praised Meghan for her compassion, confidence, and warmth—qualities he felt mirrored Diana’s personality. He also mentioned how his mother made decisions from the heart rather than the head, a trait he believes both he and Meghan share. During their engagement interview in 2017, Harry even suggested that Diana would have been “over the moon” about Meghan and envisioned them as best friends
Concerns About Media Harassment
Harry has also drawn parallels between the media treatment of Meghan and the harassment faced by Diana during her life. He expressed fears that history might repeat itself, citing the relentless paparazzi attention that contributed to Diana’s tragic death. In various interviews and documentaries, Harry has revealed his concern for Meghan’s mental health amidst this scrutiny. Meghan herself has spoken openly about her struggles during this time, including feelings of isolation and despair
He believes Meghan has similarities with his late mother (Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage))
Meghan’s Modern Approach vs Royal Tradition
Both Diana and Meghan are seen as figures who disrupted traditional royal norms. Diana was known for her modern style and humanitarian work that extended beyond royal conventions—such as her advocacy against landmines in Angola. Similarly, Meghan brought a contemporary perspective to royal life as an independent woman with a successful career before marrying Harry. However, this modernity was reportedly one of the reasons some members of the royal family struggled to accept her.
Future Prospects for Meghan
With their departure from royal duties in 2020, Meghan has reportedly been considering a return to her Hollywood roots. Before meeting Harry, she had a thriving career as an actress on Suits. While rumors suggest she might make a comeback in entertainment, her former co-star Gabriel Macht hinted at the possibility of a spin-off but remained noncommittal about whether Meghan would reprise her role.
Prince Harry’s unwavering comparisons between Meghan Markle and Princess Diana reflect his deep connection to his late mother’s legacy. However, these comparisons have not resonated with all members of his family or extended circle. The skepticism from Diana’s relatives regarding Meghan’s compatibility with royal life highlights broader tensions within the monarchy that have persisted since Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles. Nonetheless, Harry continues to champion his belief in their shared qualities while navigating life outside royal traditions.