Prince Harry wanted Princess Diana’s sisters to see similarities between Meghan Markle and his mother – but they didn’t think she fit in with Royal Family, according to royal expert

Heartbreakingly, Prince Harry never had the chance to introduce the woman he fell in love with to his mother, the late Princess Diana.

Harry was just 12 years old when Diana died in a car accident and the prince has spoken openly about the pain of losing his mother at such a young age.

He said that he had only begun to address this grief when, at the age of 28, he had felt himself to be ‘on the verge of punching someone’ while also facing anxiety when carrying out official engagements.

Diana had three siblings, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes and Charles Spencer, and was particularly close to her brother, who was the closest in age to the late princess.

Not able to go to his mother for approval, Harry went to his aunts to introduce his girlfriend, Meghan Markle, in late 2017 before the couple married the following year.

He told the BBC that he thought Diana would have been ‘over the moon’ about his relationship with Meghan.

But the sisters were not in agreement.

In the Sussexes’ engagement interview Meghan Markle said: ‘I think in being able to meet his aunts, I’m able to, in some way, know a part of her through them and of course through him. And it’s – it’s incredibly special’

Sisterly love: Diana is pictured laughing with Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes in 1995

Heartbreakingly, Prince Harry never had the chance to introduce the woman he fell in love with to his mother, the late Princess Diana. A young Harry and his mother are pictured in Majorca, Spain, in 1987

He wrote: ‘Harry assumed that Diana’s family and friends would see a similarity between Diana and his fiancée.

‘Both, he said, shared the same problems. He was so disappointed.

‘No one agreed that his vulnerable mother had anything in common with his girlfriend.

‘More discomforting for him, they thought Meghan would not fit in with the Royal Family.’

But instead of the sisters voicing their concern, it was Charles Spencer, Diana’s brother, who weighed in.

The Earl, who had been married three times, cautioned his nephew not to marry in a rush.

‘His advice provoked a bitter reaction,’ Bower wrote.

‘”This was going to be really hard,” Harry would later reflect on establishing Meghan’s place in the family.’

Meghan and Harry are pictured at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto

Earl Spencer, who had been married three times, cautioned his nephew not to marry in a rush. Meghan and Harry are pictured on their wedding day in May 2018

The royal biographer wrote: ‘Harry assumed that Diana’s family and friends would see a similarity between Diana and his fiancée . Both, he said, shared the same problems. He was so disappointed’

Despite his family not being convinced, Harry continues to draw parallels between his late mother and wife.

In the 2022 Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, the prince said: ‘So much of what Meghan is and how she is, is so similar to my mum.

‘She has the same compassion, the same empathy, the same confidence. She has this warmth about her.’

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

Earl Spencer has publicly defended Harry in the media and on social media, showing his support for the prince during his legal battles and other challenges.

Despite Harry and William no longer on speaking terms, their aunts consistently show up for both of Diana’s sons.

The year 2007 was a particularly big one for the two princes as it marked a decade since their mother’s death.

Diana and Charles are pictured on their wedding day in July 1981

Diana is pictured with her two sisters and old headmistress Ruth Rudge on the steps of their old school. 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

Sisters Jane and Diana are pictured at Wimbledon in July 1984. Despite Harry and William no longer on speaking terms, their aunts consistently show up for both of Diana’s sons

Sarah (left) and Jane embrace as they arrive for the Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Diana at the Guards’ Chapel in London in August 2007

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.

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.

In the Sussexes’ engagement interview in November 2017 Meghan said: ‘I think in being able to meet his aunts, I’m able to, in some way, know a part of her through them and of course through him. And it’s – it’s incredibly special.’

Harry spoke about his late mother, saying: ‘I think she would be over the moon, jumping up and down, so excited for me, but then, as I said, she would have probably been best friends – best friends with Meghan.’

In 2019 Lady Jane was one of the first to drop in to meet baby Archie ahead of senior royals including Prince Charles, Camilla, William and Kate.

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.

Diana’s sisters are pictured with Prince Charles leaving Pitie-Salpetriere University Hospital in Paris, September 1997

Harry chats with his uncle Earl Spencer at the Invictus 10th anniversary service at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8, 2024

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.

Sarah, 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.

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

Last August, Harry made a secret visit to Britain to attend the funeral of his uncle Robert Fellowes, Jane’s husband.

Also last year, Harry’s aunt and uncle – 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.

Earl Spencer and Prince William chat with Kathryn Gustafson, who designed the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain

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

The Spencer family tree shows how Diana’s family relates to Harry and William

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.

Like Harry and William who sought comfort in one another after the death of their mother, the death of Princess Diana deeply bonded her sisters, Sarah and Jane, in grief.

Sarah and Jane were present in Paris when Diana died and accompanied her body back to the UK.

Despite the brothers’ feud, the relationship between Diana’s siblings and their nephews remains strong.