4 Times Charles Spencer Seemingly Took Prince Harry's Side Over William

Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, has maintained a relationship with both of his nephews, Prince William and Prince Harry, over the years. However, he has often found himself pulled into conversations about the brothers’ strained relationship, especially after some of his public interactions made it seem like he was closer to Harry. There have been a few occasions where Spencer was seen spending time with the Duke of Sussex or publicly supporting him. That does not necessarily mean he has taken sides, but those moments have certainly fueled speculation that Harry holds a particularly close place in his uncle’s life.

When Harry returned to London in May 2024 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, none of the senior royals attended the service at St Paul’s Cathedral. King Charles was hosting a garden party at Buckingham Palace, while William was carrying out an investiture at Windsor Castle; both just a few miles away. However, Harry did have the support of his mother’s family, with Earl Charles Spencer and Lady Jane Fellowes attending the service. Royal expert Tom Quinn saw the Spencers’ presence at the Games as telling. He argued that their decision to rally around Harry revealed: “where their loyalties lie.” He told The Mirror, “The fact that the Spencers were out in force for Harry on this visit speaks volumes about where their loyalties lie… Like Harry, the Spencers still see the Royal Family, to some extent, as the enemy."

Spencer publicly came to Harry’s defence when his nephew presented evidence in his phone-hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers in June 2023. After Daily Mail columnist Amanda Platell mocked Harry over his court testimony and references to his former girlfriend Chelsy Davy, Spencer hit back on X (formerly Twitter), questioning her credibility. He wrote, “Pathetic,

@amandajplatell- you have no shame, and even less credibility. Last time I heard from you, you were guilty of libelling me, as your employer at @DailyMailUK agreed. Now you’re put up (by them?) to misrepresent significant legal evidence as if it were something trivial.” While the rest of the royals kept their distance from the lawsuit, Spencer’s decision to openly defend Harry made his support for his nephew all the more noticeable.

When Harry made a surprise trip to the UK for his uncle Lord Robert Fellowes’ funeral in August 2024, he and William were both in attendance. However, the brothers reportedly kept their distance throughout the service: “They weren't speaking; one sat [on] one side of the church, and the other was in the aisle on the other side,” said David Hocking to the Sunday Times. Harry was later welcomed by his uncle Spencer and stayed with him at Althorp House, the childhood home of Diana and her final resting place. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams opined in the Daily Mail, saying, “The announcement of his staying at Althorp after the memorial service intentionally emphasises his links with his mother's family. What is clear is that he feels at home with the Spencers.”

Spencer and Harry’s bond stood out again during the Duke’s 2026 UK visit, when the accommodation drama with the Palace left the Duke without a royal residence to stay in. He spent time with Spencer at Althorp along with Markle and his children, and it turns out Harry was reportedly already aware of Spencer’s forthcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. A source told Page Six, “Harry knew what was in the book – it didn’t come as a shock.” The memoir is set to revisit some of the most painful parts of Diana’s story, including a hurtful comment made by Charles about the late Princess. Harry knowing what was coming before the book even came out says a lot about how much Spencer seems to trust him, especially when the rest of the royal family was reportedly caught off guard.