Prince Harry has reportedly become a source of concern for Prince William, especially regarding William’s future coronation and reign as king. According to royal commentator Tina Brown, William’s apprehensions about Harry reflect the problems his father, King Charles, once faced with his first wife, Princess Diana.
During an appearance at ankle podcastBrown made comparisons between the brothers’ current dynamic and the tensions between Charles and Diana. She explained: “The problem is that they have the same problem that I talked about with Princess Diana and Charles, which was known as the downstage problem.”
Brown went on to explain that Prince Harry has a natural ability to command attention, sometimes overshadowing Prince William. “Harry outshines William. There’s no doubt about it, you know, on stage.” she saidsuggesting that Harry’s charismatic presence often diverts public attention from his brother.
She compared this dynamic to the situation in the 1980s, when Princess Diana frequently attracted more media attention than King Charles during her public engagements. Recalling royal tours of Australia, Brown shared: “We were going around Australia, for example, and all you could hear was, ‘Oh, she’s on the other side,’” referring to the public’s fascination with Diana. This, he observed, aroused feelings of jealousy and frustration towards Charles.
Brown hinted that similar feelings of rivalry and jealousy may now be affecting Prince William, as Harry’s public image continues to garner media attention, despite his distancing from the royal family. “If you’re a man, or my husband, a proud man, that matters to you.” brown saidpointing out the challenges men in powerful positions face when they feel overshadowed.
As Prince William prepares for his future role as king, the issue of being overshadowed by his younger brother could create additional tension in their already strained relationship. While the royal family has often been portrayed as a unit, internal dynamics like these suggest deeper complexities, particularly as the siblings navigate their individual paths in the public eye.
The commentator concluded by emphasizing how intense media attention has historically led to jealousy, a dynamic that now appears to be developing between William and Harry, further complicating their relationship.
