Is Prince Harry set to repeat one of Princess Diana's biggest regrets?

Prince Harry’s memoir could ‘haunt him’, according to a royal expert

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex hosts the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draws for the men's, women's and wheelchair tournaments
(Image credit: Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty)

Prince Harry is set to release a memoir detailing his experiences in the Royal Family, but according to a royal expert, he could be about to repeat one of Princess Diana’s biggest regrets.  


Prince Harry seems to be following in Meghan Markle’s footsteps as it’s recently been announced that he will also be releasing his first book, much to the delight of royal fans. 

But while the Duchess of Sussex’s foray into writing saw her publish a New York Times bestselling children’s book that explored “another side of masculinity”, Harry’s "accurate and wholly truthful" royal memoir will explore the "highs and lows" of his royal life.

His much-anticipated memoir will be released in 2022 by Penguin Random House, who also published Meghan’s The Bench. It is set to detail the "experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him", ranging from childhood to military service in Afghanistan. 

But royal expert Ingrid Seward has suggested that writing this new account of royal life could see the Duke of Sussex repeat one of his late mother Princess Diana’s biggest regrets. 

Writing in The Sun, Ingrid says, “Revealing personal details of such a public royal life as Harry’s cannot be a good idea.”

“It may well come back to haunt him, especially if it upsets his grandmother and then he changes his mind about what he has said”, she continued.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on May 29, 2019

(Image credit: Photo by Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The Duke of Sussex’s mother, Princess Diana, also told her own side of the royal story through the shocking biography Diana: Her True Story-In Her Own Words written by Andrew Morton. However, this is something Ingrid believes the Princess of Wales came to deeply regret following the book's release. 

“Diana regretted doing her book so she said”, the royal expert claimed. “She certainly regretted making millions for everybody else out of her own sad revelations." 

Proceeds of Prince Harry's memoir will be given to charity, though he is also expected to make some astonishing revelations as he sheds further light on his time in the Royal Family. 

“This could be the worst mistake of Harry’s life,” Ingrid speculated. “We know he hates those inaccuracies written about him, but it is part of life in the spotlight and will never go away.”

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 at Westminster Abbey

(Image credit: Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

Prince Harry’s as-yet-untitled memoir is due to be released in 2022, the same year as his grandmother the Queen’s milestone Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It was recently confirmed that Her Majesty has officially invited Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to her Platinum Jubilee event. 

The Queen has yet to publicly comment on Prince Harry’s memoir plans. Though despite rumors of recent tension between the Sussexes and the Royal Family following the couple's bombshell Oprah interview, the monarch declared that they remain "much loved family members". 

Meanwhile, Prince Harry recently reunited with Prince William for the Princess Diana memorial statue unveiling at Kensington Palace. As he continues to work on his memoir, the Duke of Sussex may well reflect on their similar decisions to speak out, though whether he will come to regret it in the future remains to be seen. 

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!