By Katherine Tinsley
10:40am PDT, Aug 18, 2025
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Princess Diana's former private secretary
Patrick Jephson thinks Lady Spencer is still very much around in the afterlife and helping her children every step of the way.
"If they study Princess Diana's life carefully — and I hope they often do — William, Harry and their advisers will know that she left them many good examples to follow and also a few important warnings to heed," Jephson told
People. "Public affection and the rich rewards of royalty must be earned with self-sacrifice and service."
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While
Prince Harry stepped down from his senior royal position in 2020, Patrick Jephson predicted the Duke of Sussex and
Prince William would continue to honor their mother in their professional lives.
"I'm sure they are grateful that every day she can still guide, comfort and inspire them along the difficult path they were born to follow," Jephson said in his interview.
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Despite
Prince William and
Prince Harry often professing their love for Princess Diana, the brothers' relationship was greatly impacted by Harry's book and Netflix series. The siblings haven't been photographed in the same room together since
King Charles III's 2023 coronation ceremony.
"Things were said that sparked the initial rift, and it's never healed," Diana's biographer
Andrew Morton told
People when discussing the duo's fractured relationship.
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Earlier this year,
Prince Harry admitted that his tell-all projects hurt his brood.
"Some members of my family will never forgive me," Harry told
BBC News."The rift is very profound and very long-lasting," royal expert
Robert Lacey told
People. "It will not be changed, in my opinion, until Harry makes a move and apologizes."
