Royals

Why Prince William felt ‘protective’ for Prince Harry

Prince William’s bond with Prince Harry deepened after Princess Diana’s death

Published March 31, 2026

Prince William took special care for brother Prince Harry days during their mother’s passing.

The Prince of Wales became sensitive for his younger brother as they both saw Princess Diana slipping away. Diana passed away in a car accident in 1997.

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Royal biographer Russell Myers writes how William’s heart softened for Harry in new book William and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story.

"Diana smothered the boys with affection, equipping them with her sense of humor, her appetite for fun, and her appreciation for the privilege she enjoyed—the qualities that she became renowned for throughout the world," Myers explained.

"Diana believed this sense of normalness, no matter how small the gestures, would equip these boys for what lay ahead when they became central figures within the institution."

"The brothers already shared a deep bond, with William forging the protective instincts he would display for decades," Myers wrote.

"As an understanding of the slow death of their parents's relationship crept up on them, William made sure he was always accessible to Harry."

"William would summon that same maturity to protect his younger brother from the realization that, after years of speculation, their parents's marriage was all but over," Myers shared.

Eleen Bukhari
Eleen Bukhari is a London-based journalist and MSc graduate from Brunel University with over five years of experience. Specialising in the British Royal Family and global entertainment, she provides expert analysis of monarchy traditions, celebrity culture, and the evolving media narratives surrounding the world’s most high-profile figures.
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