Prince Harry and Prince William’s deteriorating relationship was documented in a recent bombshell biography about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. But Princess Diana’s former personal protection officer (PPO) has claimed the pair would never have fallen out to such an extent if their mother, the late Princess of Wales, was still alive.
Ken Wharfe, who became a bodyguard to the young princes from 1986 and worked as Princess Diana’s PPO from 1988-93, has claimed the late royal would have stopped any disagreement between her two sons from escalating.
He told Vanity Fair: “She had tremendous influence over them both and I simply don’t think they would have fallen out like this had Diana been around because she wouldn’t have allowed it to escalate.
“She’d have quickly instigated a resolution.”
The former bodyguard, who continued working with the Royal Protection Squad until his retirement in 2002, also claimed Diana would have put a stop to Meghan and Harry’s move to Windsor, away from the Cambridges.
He said: “I don’t think Harry and Meghan would have left Kensington Palace if Diana was still around.
“If she could see the brothers at war, she’d be very upset about it.
“She always loved the fact the boys were so close.”
In 2018 it was announced the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would be leaving Kensington Palace, where Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William reside.
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The statue, commissioned by her two sons in 2017, will be installed on July 1, 2021, marking the milestone birthday.
A statement from Kensington Palace said: “The Princes hope that the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on their mother’s life and her legacy.”
The final designs of the statue have yet to be finalised, but will be publicised in due course.
The memorial will be situated in the Sunken Garden, an area close to Diana’s heart.
Commenting on the statue’s positioning, Mr Wharfe said: “It’s a very fitting place for the statue to be.
“ken Garden was a place that Diana loved and enjoyed taking the children too.
“I imagine both William and Harry will remember the yew trees they joyfully got lost in very fondly.
“Diana also used to walk alone in to the Sunken Garden when she needed some time out and she became friendly with one of the gardeners who I think is still there. She loved it there.”
It is expected that both William and Harry will be at the official unveiling of the statue next year.
Tomorrow, Monday August 31, marks the 23rd anniversary of Princess Diana’s death.
