How Prince Harry Misunderstood Princess Diana’s Connection With The Press

Prince Harry misunderstood Princess Diana’s connection with the press.

Just recently, the Duke of Sussex released an emotional statement saying that he feared history might repeat itself. He was referring to the media treating his mom Princess Diana like a commodity. He added that the Princess of Wales wasn’t seen as a real person and he is seeing his wife Meghan Markle falling victim to the same powerful forces.

Royal correspondent Daniela Elser of News.com.au said that the prince was clearly referring to the media when he said “powerful forces.” However, Prince William’s younger brother misunderstood their mom’s relationship with the media.

Prince Harry is directly blaming the press for making their lives complicated. There is no doubt that his mom experienced the same. One time she reportedly yelled at the paparazzi, “You make my life hell!” But Princess Diana also used the media to fight back and go against the royal family.

“Diana intrinsically understood the power of the press, to change perceptions and to wrest back control over her narrative. It has been widely reported that she would regularly tip off the press when she was appearing in certain, private settings such as with her sons that day, when they went to Disney World in Florida or when she was undertaking a philanthropic mission,” Elser explained.

“These instances helped solidify her public image as that of a caring, joyful parent, making Charles seem even more dreary and musty by contrast.”

Elser pointed out that it is a myth that Princess Diana was a victim of the media. Her life was “intrinsically entwined with the press.” She added that Prince Harry might have witnessed how Princess Diana was harassed by the paparazzi, but the press was also her only means of fighting back when she desperately needed a voice.

Princess Diana worked with Andrew Morton for her biography. She was also very close with Daily Mail’s Richard Kay that she even nicknamed him “Riccardo.”

Stephen Glover also said that Prince Harry misrepresented Princess Diana’s relationship with the press. He pointed out how the prince wrongly sees his mother as a “wholly innocent victim.”