The late Princess Diana would have been absolutely “heartbroken” over Prince Harry’s “desertion” of the royal family, her longtime butler has claimed.
“I saw first-hand Diana raise William and Harry and it was always Harry’s duty and his job to be a wingman for his brother,” said Paul Burrell, who worked for Diana for over 10 years until her sudden death in 1997.
“He always knew that William would be King and Harry would be second in charge, but something happened, and that was Meghan [Markle].”
“She changed his world and turned it upside down. Diana would not be happy with the way he has deserted his post,” the royal expert added.
Indeed, the feuding brothers’ ongoing rift was only highlighted at the Diana Legacy Awards in London Thursday night when both William and Harry made appearances — apart.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, made a brief appearance at the ceremony via video call where he spoke to the young recipients of the accolade.
His virtual phone-in took place only after his estranged brother and heir to the throne left the premises after presenting the awards and giving a speech honoring their late mother.
“[Harry] has not only deserted his post, he has deserted his family and his country,” Burrell said. “Diana always knew that the price to pay for an extremely privileged life, which they have, is public service, and Harry hasn’t paid that price.”
“If she was still alive, none of this would be happening because she would still have her hands on the reins and she would still be steering her children.”
“She would be proud of William but she would have a broken heart over Harry because she would be torn over the love for her son and the desertion of his duty,” Burrell added.
Elsewhere, Burrell noted that there’s simply “no way back” into the royal fold for Harry because his brother has “drawn a line in the sand.”
“He has made his bed and now he has to lie in it,” Burrell said on behalf of Slingo. “Too much has been said. The drawbridge is up and there is no way back for Harry.”
Burrell adds that despite rumors of Harry expressing interest in a partial return to royal duties, there is zero chance of that ever happening.
“In his own mind and his world, I think he thought it was a possibility, now the family is in crisis, that he could step in, put on a uniform, and do a few jobs for William and Charles, but it is not possible in the Royal Family’s eyes, or the public’s eyes,” Burrell shared.
“It sends the wrong message and William does not want any confusion going forward. William has drawn a line in the sand and has had enough so Harry will forever be the outcast Prince of his own making.”
“His job as a member of the Royal Family is over,” he added.
