‘Not on anyone’s side’: Charles Spencer opens up on his relationship with William and Harry

Charles Spencer insists he isn’t “on anyone’s side” in the ongoing rift between his nephews, but says Prince Harry reaches out to him more than Prince William.

Princess Diana’s brother, 62, made the comments on Katie Couric’s podcast Next Question as he continues the US leg of the press tour for his book Swan Song: My Sister, Diana.

“Look, first of all, I’m not on anyone’s side, but I think there’s occasions when Harry may need me more, so I hear a lot more from Harry,” the 9th Earl Spencer said.

“But ... I’m totally equal. I’m just their mother’s brother. I’ve always taken the view since Diana died that I’m there if needed and I’m not if not.

“So I think these are two men in their 40s, and they can make of me what they want or not.”

Spencer also compared the scrutiny the Duke of Sussex faces to what his late sister endured during her time in the royal family, saying it’s “not okay”.

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“I think even people in Britain have no idea how powerful the royal family remain,” Spencer said.

“You think, ‘Oh, it’s nice pageantry, and they flounce around at state occasions. They have direct access to seriously powerful people who are either sycophantic or going to benefit in some way.’

“This is what Diana came up against, Harry’s come up against it. I get it for two or three weeks, and then they’ll move on to someone else. Harry gets it every day, and it’s not okay.”

During an on-stage conversation with royal biographer Tina Brown earlier in the week, Spencer described himself as “just an elderly uncle” who’s there for his nephews “if needed”.

“It’s a matter of public record that Harry and his family came to stay with Cat [Spencer, the Earl’s wife] and me this summer,” he said as an example.

“If I’m of any use for things like that, that’s fine.”

Earl Spencer’s last public appearance with both William and Harry was in 2021, during the unveiling of a statue of Princess Diana to mark what would have been her 60th birthday.

The trio united at Kensington Palace, joined by Spencer’s sisters Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, who largely remain out of the spotlight.

The earl’s latest comments came as Prince Harry made a surprise appearance in London at a black tie gala in support of Ukraine.

Harry, who recently moved back to the UK with his family, smiled and waved to cameras as he arrived at the Imperial War Museum in London on Thursday (Friday morning in Australia) for the United For Freedom Gala.

He delivered a speech at the event, saying the situation in the country throughout the war has been “impossible to look away from”.

“I have met people who have lost limbs, lost homes and lost loved ones, and yet somehow find the strength to rebuild,” he said.

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“Ukrainians should not have to prove, year after year, just how much they can endure.

“Their courage deserves more than our admiration. It deserves our resolve.”

Earlier in the day, the duke reflected on his military career while addressing Nato’s military committee in Brussels by video link as founder of the Invictus Games.

“When I hung up my uniform, I felt as though I had lost not simply a profession, but part of my purpose and identity,” he said, speaking of the experience of leaving the force.

“I was fortunate. I had another way to serve.”