Former Aide Reveals Diana’s 'Warnings' That Helped William and Harry Navigate ‘Their Difficult Path’
Prince William and Prince Harry were shattered when their mother, Princess Diana, tragically died in a car accident on August 31, 1997. As if coping with such a painful loss wasen't enough, the then-teenage Princes were bound by protocol to mask their emotions as they walked behind her coffin. Since her passing, William and Harry have remained steadfast in honoring their mother’s legacy. Reflecting on her influence, Diana’s former secretary Patrick Jephson revealed how the late Princess’s life carried vital warnings to guide her sons through the pressures of royal life.
Despite her demise, Jephson explained how Diana is continuing to guide her two sons in their lives. He told PEOPLE, "If they study Princess Diana’s life carefully — and I hope they often do — William, Harry and their advisers will know that she left them many good examples to follow and also a few important warnings to heed. Public affection and the rich rewards of royalty must be earned with self-sacrifice and service." He continued, "I’m sure they are grateful that every day she can still guide, comfort, and inspire them along the difficult path they were born to follow."
William and Harry were just 15 and 12 when Diana passed away in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris. Despite the brothers’ public rift, her legacy of compassion and service continues to shape their lives, inspiring both to champion her charitable causes. Determined to give her sons a sense of normality, the late Princess took them to amusement parks, fast-food outings, and homeless shelters. Tessy Ojo, CEO of The Diana Award, gushed, "I’ve seen how they watch young people who never met their mother articulate the impact she’s had on them. There is a sense of immense pride: 'Wow, my mother did that!'" The Diana Award remains the only charity bearing the late Princess’s name and continues to receive strong support from her two sons.
Royal biographer Andrew Morton also revealed how Diana, if she were alive, would have helped her sons bury the hatchet in their long-standing rift. As reported by Marie Claire, he shared, "Diana always used to say she had two boys for a reason, the younger would be there to support the older in the lonely task as future King." He continued, "There is no doubt Diana would have tried to act as a peacemaker between them. If she had been around, they would have worked things out in a different way." A palace insider also echoed, "That’s what any mother would want, that they are there for each other."
In 2021, William and Harry briefly set aside their differences to unveil a statue of Diana at Kensington Palace. According to the Royal Insider, as the 30th anniversary of her death approaches in 2027, Harry is reportedly hoping the milestone will reunite him with his brother in her memory. However, William is said to remain reluctant, particularly if Meghan Markle plays any part. The Prince of Wales is allegedly hurt by Harry’s public attacks and sees no reason to patch things up on the Duke's timetable.