There was quite a bit of commotion surrounding Prince Harry’s Invictus Games celebration at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday. While the royal family seemed to snub the event, Harry received warm support from his other family members. Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, and sister Jane Fellowes were seen embracing Harry, marking a significant day in his career.
According to former BBC royal correspondent Michael Cole, the divide within the royal family was evident on Wednesday. While most of King Charles’ side enjoyed a garden party at Buckingham Palace, the rift goes beyond Harry and has deep roots that span decades. Cole revealed that there has never been much love between the Spencers and the Windsors, which may explain why the Spencer family made sure to show up and honor the Invictus Games’ 10th anniversary.
The rivalry between the two families dates back to 1981 when Diana’s father, Johnnie Spencer, advised her to stay away from the royal family and not marry Prince Charles. He believed that she should follow her oldest sister Sarah’s example and lead a happy life with a country landowner. Johnnie had firsthand experience with the Windsors, now the Mountbatten-Windsors, and wanted to protect his youngest daughter from the constant public scrutiny she would face as the Princess of Wales. Unfortunately, his prediction proved to be true, and despite charming the world, Diana’s misery seemed to be inevitable within the palace walls.
While The Daily Beast reports that the feud between Harry and King Charles III is back to square one, the Spencers remain loyal to their family ties with the Duke of Sussex. They recognize and celebrate Harry’s achievements with the Invictus Games, which has caused some tension within the royal family once again.
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