London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Mar 05, 2026

Princess Diana ‘won over Britain —  but Harry and Meghan have struggled’ with public

Princess Diana ‘won over Britain — but Harry and Meghan have struggled’ with public

PRINCESS DIANA had already won over the hearts of the British public before her life on the royal frontline began to unravel - but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have struggled to inspire the same kind of devotion, according to a royal commentator.


Diana was the world’s most photographed woman prior to her tragic death in 1997. She struggled with being in the spotlight for 16 years, ever since she wed Prince Charles in 1981. However, despite the huge challenges in her personal life, her dedication to humanitarian work and warmth with the public meant she became the ‘People’s Princess’ — even though she had divorced Charles and was no longer a working royal by 1996.

Her son Harry has followed a similar path and voluntarily left royal life behind this year, in a mission to find “financial independence” with his wife Meghan.

The couple have relocated to the US in the last few months and tried to establish a new line of work with streaming service giant Netflix.

Yet, where Diana’s decision to split with Charles drew sympathy from the public, the Sussexes’ exit has polarised royal spheres.

Some royal watchers have even called for the couple to be stripped of their remaining titles, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.


Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Princess Diana


The pro-Sussex biography, ‘Finding Freedom’ by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand was then released in August, and has only caused further division among fans.

Commentator Maureen Callahan noted that this book could be compared to the controversial 1992 biography, ‘Diana — Her True Story’ by Andrew Morton.

The account stunned fans, revealing Diana’s personal misery and struggle behind Palace walls — just like ‘Finding Freedom’.

However, Ms Callahan explained: “Rather than be perceived as a villain or an ingrate, Diana further endeared herself to the world.”


Princess Diana is still seen as the 'People's Princess' 


The book details her realisation that she was mainly chosen as Prince Charles’ wife because she was a 19-year-old virgin, but she still managed to continue with her royal obligations.

That’s the clinching detail, according to Ms Callahan.

Despite Charles being deeply in love with his then former flame Camilla Parker Bowles, Diana still embraced royal life.

Ms Callahan explained: “She produced the heir and the spare.


Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2018


Meghan was walked down the aisle by Prince Charles 


“She injected glamour, heart and modernity into a fading institution. She did real humanitarian work.

“If Diana was going to be cast out of the Royal Family after 12 years of loyal service, she was going to get even.”

Ms Callahan claimed that, unlike ‘Diana — Her True Story’, the pro-Sussex biography ‘Finding Freedom’ makes Harry and Meghan appear “entitled”.

She said Meghan was welcomed and “fast-tracked” into royal life by the monarchy.


Princess Diana revealed her vulnerability after joining the Royal Family at just 19


This was evident as previous American divorcees had been forbidden from marrying into the Firm, yet Prince Charles walked her down the aisle, and the couple were allowed to have their own staff and a new estate, Frogmore Cottage.

Writing in the New York Post in August, the commentator continued: “Meghan had been on the job less than two years, and had been given almost everything she asked for.”

One of the couple's main motivations for leaving royal life was that Meghan reportedly felt “voiceless” behind Palace walls — but this claim has surprised royal watchers, as political neutrality is a well-known clause of joining the Royal Family.

Ms Callahan also said there was little in ‘Finding Freedom’ which justified Meghan and Harry’s fury at the Palace, while the Princess of Wales drew pity after revealing so much of herself.

Additionally, Diana discussed her flaws and vulnerable mental health during her time on the royal frontline in 'Diana — Her True Story', while the Sussexes are presented in a very flattering light in 'Finding Freedom'.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Iran Conflict Strains U.S.–U.K. Alliance as Trump and Starmer Clash Over Military Strategy
UK Interest Rates Could Rise Above Four Percent Again if Energy Shock Continues, Think Tank Warns
Starmer Defends Britain’s Iran Strategy as Badenoch Urges Stronger Military Support
Labour MP Says She Saw No Sign Husband Broke Law After Arrest in China Espionage Investigation
UK Jobless Rate Overtakes Italy’s for First Time in Years as Labour Market Weakens
United Kingdom Suspends Student Visas for Four Countries in Unprecedented Immigration Move
Campaigners Warn UK Student Visa Ban Could Push Migrants Toward Dangerous Channel Crossings
First U.K. Charter Flight for Stranded Nationals Set to Depart Oman Amid Middle East Crisis
France and United Kingdom Deploy Warships to Eastern Mediterranean as Middle East Conflict Escalates
U.K. Arrests Three Men Including Lawmaker’s Partner in Suspected China Espionage Investigation
Trump Says UK–US ‘Special Relationship’ Is Diminished Amid Middle East Dispute
UK Economic Forecasts Face Fresh Strain from Middle East Conflict and Rising Energy Costs
UK Reaffirms Close US Ties After Trump’s Public Criticism
Reeves Stresses Stability and Fiscal Discipline in UK Budget Update as Growth Outlook Shifts
UK Deploys Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Dragon to Cyprus After Drone Strike on RAF Base
Green Party Surges Past Labour in New UK Poll as Traditional Party Support Crumbles
Majority of Britons Oppose U.S. Use of UK Military Bases in Iran Conflict
UK Intensifies Evacuation Efforts from Oman, Working with Airlines to Boost Flight Capacity
Trump Condemns UK and Spain in Unusually Sharp Rift Over Iran Military Action
Trump Repeats UK Claims That Diverge from Verified Facts Amid Diplomatic Strain
UK Arrests Prominent Figures Linked to Epstein Network as Questions Mount Over US Action
Trump Says UK ‘Took Far Too Long’ to Approve Use of Airbases for Iran Strikes
Scope of Britain’s Role in the Expanding Middle East Conflict Comes Under Scrutiny
Trump Says He Is ‘Very Disappointed’ in Starmer Over Iran Comments
U.S. Embassy in Riyadh Struck by Drones Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
Starmer Confronts Strategic Test After Drone Strike Near British Base in Cyprus
Rolls-Royce Chief Signals Openness to Germany Joining UK-Led Fighter Jet Programme
UK Stocks Slip as Escalating Iran Conflict Triggers Global Market Selloff
UK Overhauls Asylum System to Make Refugee Status Temporary
Starmer Warns of ‘Reckless’ Iranian Strikes Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
British Base in Cyprus Targeted as Drones Intercepted Amid Expanding Iran Conflict
Starmer Diverges from Trump on Iran Strategy, Rejects ‘Regime Change from the Skies’
U.S. and Israel Intensify Strikes on Iran as Conflict Expands to Lebanon and Gulf States
Violent Pro-Iranian Protesters Storm U.S. Consulate in Karachi
Missile Debris Sparks Fires at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port Near Palm Jumeirah
Iran Strikes U.S. Fifth Fleet Headquarters in Bahrain Amid Wider Gulf Retaliation
When the State Replaces the Parent: How Gender Policy Is Redefining Custody and Coercion
Bill Clinton Denies Knowing Woman in Hot Tub Photo During Closed-Door Epstein Deposition
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton Testifies on Ties to Jeffrey Epstein Before Congressional Oversight Committee
Dyson Reaches Settlement in Landmark UK Forced Labour Case
Barclays and Jefferies Shares Fall After UK Mortgage Lender Collapse Rekindles Credit Market Concerns
Play Exploring Donald Trump’s Rise to Power by ‘Lehman Trilogy’ Author to Premiere in the UK
Man Arrested After Churchill Statue Defaced in Central London
Keir Starmer Faces Political Setback as Labour Finishes Third in High-Profile By-Election
UK Assisted Dying Bill Set to Fall Short in Parliament as Regional Initiatives Gain Ground
UK Defence Ministry Clarifies Position After Reports of Imminent Helicopter Contract
Independent Left-Wing Plumber Secures Shock Victory as Greens Surge in UK By-Election
Reform UK Refers Alleged ‘Family Voting’ Incidents in By-Election to Police
United Kingdom Temporarily Withdraws Embassy Staff from Iran Amid Heightened Regional Tensions
UK Government Reaches Framework Agreement on Release of Mandelson Vetting Files
×