The rift between Prince William and Prince Harry has yet to heal, but their mother’s family continues to quietly support them separately.
Princess Diana’s sisters regularly attended events with the two feuding brothers and remain close to both.
Recently, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, eldest sister of the late Princess of Wales, accompanied Prince William during the Sovereign’s Parade at RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire.
Since Diana’s death in 1997, her siblings have remained involved in William and Harry’s lives and attended all three of their weddings.
The two aunts, Lady Sarah and Lady Jane Fellowes, as well as their brother Charles, Earl Spencer, were on Archie’s little baptismal guest list in 2019.
Although Harry and William are no longer on speaking terms, their aunts consistently show up for both of Diana’s sons.
And in August, Harry made a secret visit to Britain to attend the funeral of his uncle Robert Fellowes, Lady Jane’s husband.
It is believed he and William did not speak at the service in Snettisham, Norfolk. But their presence stirred their love for the mother’s side of their family.
Princess Diana celebrating her brother’s 21st birthday, pictured left, with her then husband Prince Charles, Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, 1985
Lady Sarah attended the Sovereign’s Parade with Prince William on September 12
Prince Harry hugs his uncle, Charles Earl Spencer, as his aunt Lady Jane Fellowes stands nearby during the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in May
Earlier this year, Prince Harry’s aunt and uncle – Lady Jane and Charles Spencer – supported him at the tenth anniversary service for the Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex had left his wife and children in California and entered St Paul’s Cathedral alone.
But once inside, he was seen smiling as he hugged his aunt and uncle before sitting next to them.
Harry’s father, King Charles, was invited to attend the service in central London but did not – and he did not meet his youngest son at all during his flying visit.
Despite his move to America, the prince’s close ties with his mother’s side of the family were maintained.
Lady Jane and Charles Spencer attended the Invictus Games service at St Paul’s Cathedral in May
William and Harry hug their aunts at the unveiling of the statue of their mother, Princess Diana, at Kensington Palace in 2021
Lady Jane sits behind Harry and William at a benefit concert commemorating what would have been Diana’s 46th birthday in 2007
According to People magazine, he was staying with his uncle at his mother’s family home, Althorp Estate, after attending the funeral of Diana’s brother-in-law Lord Robert Fellowes last month.
Although they don’t get involved in official royal engagements, Diana’s aunts often accompany them to other events.
On what would have been the late Princess of Wales’s 60th birthday, William and Harry’s aunts and uncle gathered for the unveiling of Diana’s statue at Kensington Palace in 2021.
According to People magazine, he was staying with his uncle at his mother’s family home, Althorp Estate, after attending the funeral of Diana’s brother-in-law Lord Robert Fellowes last month.
Lady Sarah, Lady Jane and Charles Spencer all attended the moving ceremony.
The aunts seemed excited to see their battling cousins and greeted them with a loving kiss on the cheek and a hug.
Lady Sarah beamed as she held Harry’s shoulder and seemed to whisper something in his ear.
Harry talks to his aunt and uncle after the service to celebrate Princess Diana’s life in August 2007
Prince William, Charles Spencer and Lady Jane talk to Kathryn Gufstafson, designer of the Diana, Princess of Wales memorial fountain in Hyde Park
The year 2007 was a particularly big year for the two princes, as it was ten years ago that their mother passed away.
Fortunately, they seemed to be well supported. On what would have been Diana’s 46th birthday, the princes held a concert in memory of the late Princess of Wales.
Lady Jane was seen in the crowd, just one row behind William and Harry. It was certainly an evening to remember and honor Diana as the young princes wanted.
Prince William said at the time: ‘We wanted to have this big concert on her birthday, full of energy, full of the kind of fun and happiness that I know she would have wanted. It has to be the best birthday present she’s ever had.’
Later that year, the Spencers joined the two princes for a memorial service at the Guards’ Chapel in London, marking ten years since Diana’s death.
Diana’s siblings watch as the Queen gives a speech at the opening of the memorial fountain in 2004
Charles Spencer stands next to William and Harry, with his sisters and mother, Frances Shand Kydd, nearby at Diana’s funeral in 1997
Most of the royal family were in attendance, including the late Queen Prince Philip and King Charles, who was then Prince of Wales.
A few years earlier, a memorial fountain was opened in Hyde Park in memory of the late princess.
The fountain was built as a “welcoming space for families and paddling children,” Culture Minister Tessa Jowell said at the time.
Diana’s sisters and uncle were in attendance alongside the Queen, who gave a speech, Prince Philip and Prince Charles.
This was just a month after the princes attended the funeral of their maternal grandmother, Frances Shand Kydd.
In 1997, William and Harry’s aunts flew to Paris as soon as they heard the news of Diana’s accident, and both they and brother Charles were there for the princes at her funeral.
Charles Spencer walked with William and Harry behind their mother’s coffin, while Lady Jane and Lady Sarah stayed nearby during the service.