How Princess Diana’s sisters are still close to William and Harry… even though the brothers no longer talk

The rift between Prince William and Prince Harry is yet to heal, but their mother’s family continues to quietly support them separately.

Princess Diana‘s sisters have frequently joined the two feuding brothers at events and still have a close relationship with both.

Most recently, the late Princess of Wales‘s oldest sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale joined Prince William at 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 all three attended both of their weddings.

The two aunts, Lady Sarah and Lady Jane Fellowes, as well as their brother Charles, Earl Spencer, were on Archie’s small christening guest list in 2019.

Despite Harry and William being 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. 

He and William are understood not to have spoken during the service in Snettisham, Norfolk. But their presence moved their love for their mother’s side of their family. 

Princess Diana celebrating the 21st birthday of her brother, pictured left, with her then husband Prince Charles, Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, 1985

Lady Sarah attending the Sovereign’s Parade with Prince William on September 12

Prince Harry hugging his uncle, Charles Earl Spencer, while his aunt Lady Jane Fellowes stands nearby at the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games in May 

Earlier this year, Prince Harry’s aunt and uncle – Lady Jane and Charles Spencer – supported him during 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.

However, once inside he was seen smiling as he embraced his aunt and uncle before taking his seat next to them.

Harry’s father, King Charles, was invited to attend the service in Central London but did not do so – nor did he meet with his youngest son at all during his flying visit. 

The Prince’s closeness to his mother’s side of the family has been maintained despite his move to America.

Lady Jane and Charles Spencer attending the Invictus Games service at St Paul’s Cathedral in May

William and Harry embracing their aunts at the unveiling of the statue of their mother, Princess Diana, at Kensington Palace in 2021

Lady Jane sitting behind Harry and William at a benefit concert  to commemorate what would have been Diana’s 46th birthday in 2007

He stayed with his uncle at his mother’s ancestral home, Althorp estate, after going to the funeral of Diana’s brother-in-law Lord Robert Fellowes last month, according to People magazine.

Though they do not get involved in official royal engagements, Diana’s aunts often join them for other events.

On what would have been the late Princess of Wales’s 60th birthday, William and Harry’s aunts and uncle came together in 2021 for the unveiling of Diana’s statue at Kensington Palace.

He stayed with his uncle at his mother’s ancestral home, Althorp estate, after going to the funeral of Diana’s brother-in-law Lord Robert Fellowes last month, according to People magazine.

Lady Sarah, Lady Jane and Charles Spencer all attended the touching ceremony.

The aunts looked thrilled to see their warring nephews and greeted them with an affectionate kiss on the cheek and a hug.

Lady Sarah beamed as she held onto Harry’s shoulder and appeared to whisper something into his ear.

Harry chatting to his uncle and aunt after the service to celebrate the life Princess Diana 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 one for the two princes as it marked a decade since their mother’s death. 

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 a row behind William and Harry. It was certainly a night to remember and honoured Diana in the way the young princes wanted.

At the time Prince William said: ‘We wanted to have this big concert on her birthday, full of energy, full of the sort of fun and happiness which I know she would have wanted. It’s got to be the best birthday present she 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 attended, including the late Queen, Prince Philip and King Charles, who was then the 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 Secretary Tessa Jowell said at the time.

Diana’s sisters and uncle attended alongside the Queen – who delivered a speech – Prince Philip and Prince Charles. 

This was just a month after the princes had 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 news of Diana’s accident and both they and brother Charles were there for the princes during her funeral. 

Charles Spencer walked with William and Harry behind their mother’s coffin while Lady Jane and Lady Sarah remained nearby throughout the service.