Prince William Would Be Unhappy If Harry Exploits Princess Diana's Status, Royal Author Claims

A royal author believes Prince William would be concerned if younger brother Prince Harry appears to exploit their late mother Princess Diana's "iconic status."

Journalist Phil Dampier, who has written several books on the British royal family, made this comment after Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle updated their Archewell website with a throwback photo of the Duke of Sussex with his mom. In the picture taken at Highgrove in Gloucestershire in July 1986, a much younger Harry is sitting on the shoulders of Princess Diana.

In the introductory letter posted on the website, Prince Harry introduced himself as "my mother's son" and the couple said they both experienced compassion and kindness "from our mothers and strangers alike." Commenting on Prince Harry's latest venture, Dampier shared his speculations on Prince William's possible reaction to it.

"I think William will be slightly worried if Harry uses Diana for any of his charitable or commercial ventures without consulting him, and I don't think he would be happy if Harry appears to be exploiting his mother's iconic status," the royal expert told Daily Mail.

"It's also very significant that Harry called himself his 'mother's son' but has made no mention of Prince Charles," he continued. "William is very much following now in his father's footsteps with his environmental and conservation work. And although Harry has praised his father in the past, it seems odd not to mention him more and work in conjunction with him, rather than separately."

Dampier added that the emphasis on mothers could be because Markle is very close to her own mom, Doria Ragland but is not on good terms with her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr. The royal commentator speculated that Prince Harry focused on his mom in consideration of his wife.

As for Prince William and Prince Harry, the author felt that the brothers' relationship was "slowly thawing." He was also confident that they will put on a united front during the unveiling of Princess Diana's statue at Kensington Palace on the 20th anniversary of her death this July 1.

"It will be fascinating to watch the body language between them when they meet up and I'm sure they will put on a united front," Dampier added.

Another royal expert, Ingrid Seward, also spoke about the relationship between Princess Diana and Prince Charles' two sons back in October. The editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine said she believes Prince William and Prince Harry's relationship may be beyond repair and only an "awful tragedy" could force them to reunite.

"I rather doubt that they will ever get back to how they used to be. I really don't think so. I think that's probably a broken relationship," Seward said on Daily Mirror's "Pod Save the Queen" podcast. "If there was an awful tragedy it would bring them together, but otherwise I don't think that relationship will be mended."