Prince Harry has often drawn comparisons between his wife, Meghan Markle, and his late mother, Princess Diana. In numerous interviews and public statements, Harry has emphasized the qualities he believes both women share, describing Meghan as someone who embodies the same compassion, resilience, and dedication to service that defined Diana’s legacy. However, Harry has also expressed his deep disappointment that his family has failed to recognize these similarities, leading to tensions and misunderstandings within the royal household.
From the outset of their relationship, Harry has been vocal about the ways in which Meghan reminds him of Diana. He has spoken about Meghan’s innate ability to connect with people from all walks of life, her empathy for the underprivileged, and her passion for humanitarian work—traits that were central to Diana’s public persona. Like Diana, Meghan has been involved in numerous charitable initiatives, advocating for causes related to mental health, women’s rights, and social justice. Harry has often mentioned how Meghan’s warmth and approachability, much like his mother’s, have left a lasting impact on those who meet her.
Despite these parallels, Harry has admitted feeling let down by the lack of acknowledgment from his family regarding these resemblances. He has expressed frustration that the royal family, whom he hoped would welcome Meghan with open arms, has instead seemed indifferent or even dismissive of the qualities she shares with Diana. This has been a source of considerable pain for Harry, who has always cherished his mother’s memory and hoped that his family would see Meghan through the same lens of admiration and respect.
In private conversations and public interviews, Harry has highlighted specific instances where he believes the similarities between Meghan and Diana were evident, yet went unnoticed or unappreciated by his family. For instance, he has pointed to Meghan’s ability to handle media scrutiny with grace and poise, much like Diana did, despite the relentless pressure. Harry has also drawn attention to Meghan’s commitment to using her platform to shine a light on important issues, just as Diana did with her work on HIV/AIDS awareness and landmine clearance.
The lack of recognition from his family has been particularly hurtful for Harry because he sees it as a missed opportunity for unity and mutual understanding. He has expressed that, rather than seeing Meghan as an outsider or a disruptor, his family could have embraced the common ground she shares with Diana, which might have brought them closer together. Instead, the perceived indifference has only deepened the divide between Harry and the rest of the royal family, contributing to his and Meghan’s decision to step back from their royal duties.
This sense of disappointment has also been reflected in Harry’s ongoing struggle to reconcile his royal heritage with his desire to protect his wife and family. He has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of seeing Meghan face similar challenges to those his mother endured, including intense media scrutiny and a lack of support from the institution. Harry’s determination to shield Meghan from the same fate as Diana has been a driving force behind many of his decisions, including the couple’s move to North America and their pursuit of financial independence.
Harry has made it clear in interviews that his love for Meghan is deeply connected to his thoughts of Diana. He has said many times that his mother would have been proud of the woman he married and would have understood the hard decisions he has had to make to keep his family safe. Even though he has a split with his family, Harry is still hoping that one day they will see Meghan for what she really is: a woman with Diana’s kindness, strength, and desire to make the world a better place.