Earl Spencer has said the media treatment of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, carries “echoes” of the scrutiny faced by his sister Diana, Princess of Wales, describing sustained negative coverage as a damaging influence.
His comments follow the Sussexes' recent return to the United Kingdom from California, six years after they stepped back from royal duties, and come amid a separate dispute between Spencer and King Charles over claims concerning the aftermath of Diana's death.
Speaking to the BBC at his Althorp estate, Spencer said tabloid coverage of Diana and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could be deeply unpleasant.
He recalled seeing Diana's “tears of despair” over press criticism and said she was sensitive to attacks that left her “really brought low”.
Spencer said it was a pity to see similar patterns in coverage of Harry and Meghan and argued that lessons should be drawn from Diana's experience.
He also expressed concern about Harry not having police protection, citing his perspective as an uncle whose sister died in what he described as preventable circumstances.
Spencer rejected suggestions that he had chosen Harry's side in tensions involving Prince William, saying he supported both of Diana's sons equally.
Harry and Meghan have repeatedly criticised their treatment by the British press, including in interviews and their Netflix series.
Spencer's remarks come as he publicly disputes Buckingham Palace's response to claims in his forthcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.
He has alleged that Charles told him after Diana's death that people would forget her “soon enough” and has maintained that his recollection is accurate.
The Palace responded that grief can affect judgment and memory, prompting Spencer to accuse the King of gaslighting him without directly denying the alleged remarks.
Spencer has also claimed Charles sounded elated during a call following Diana's death.
Dame Julia Cleverdon, a longtime friend and former aide to the King, rejected that characterization, saying it did not reflect the man she has known for decades.
Journalist Richard Kay separately recalled Spencer describing a furious dispute with Charles in the period between Diana's death and funeral.