The Duke of Sussex is reportedly exploring several ways to honour his late mother ahead of the 2027 anniversary, including a possible documentary, and has approached family and friends of Diana, Princess of Wales, including her brother Earl Spencer, as speculation grows over his involvement.
Prince Harry is understood to be considering making a documentary about his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, to mark 30 years since her death in August 2027. According to a report in The Telegraph, the Duke of Sussex has approached several of Diana’s friends and relatives, including her brother Earl Spencer, about the possibility of taking part in such a project. No production has yet been confirmed, however, with Harry said to still be weighing up the most fitting way to commemorate his mother’s legacy during the anniversary year.
Duke still weighing his options
A source told The Telegraph: “The Duke has discussed a number of possible projects to mark the 30th anniversary of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales’s passing. Nothing has been finalised or confirmed, and he is still considering the most meaningful way to honour her legacy during this important anniversary year.” Any documentary would likely be produced through Archewell Productions, the company run by Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, which holds a multi-year first-look agreement with Netflix covering its film and television output. That arrangement gives Netflix the opportunity to consider Archewell projects ahead of other broadcasters, though it does not mean the streaming service has commissioned a Diana documentary.
Diana died on 31 August 1997, meaning the anniversary in 2027 will mark three decades since her death. Harry was 12 at the time and his brother, Prince William, was 15.
Earl Spencer’s memoir adds to a sensitive moment
The reports of Harry’s potential project come as his uncle, Earl Spencer, publishes his own memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, this week. The book contains a series of personal recollections about Diana and her life within the Royal Family. Spencer, 62, has said he chose to write his own account rather than appear as an interviewee in someone else’s production about his sister.
Among the memoir’s claims, Spencer alleges that a furious Prince Charles told him days after Diana’s death: “rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.” The remark, according to Spencer, followed a disagreement over the decision for Prince William and Prince Harry, then aged 15 and 12, to walk in their mother’s funeral procession – a decision Spencer says he opposed, telling the then Prince of Wales that Diana would not have wanted her young sons to endure such a public ordeal.
In response, Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying: “While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss.” Spencer has defended the accuracy of his account, telling the BBC he was “telling the truth” and insisting that the words he attributes to King Charles were exactly what he heard. He has also said he informed both Harry and William about the book before it was published, and has separately voiced support for Harry over the removal of his official police protection in Britain, drawing comparisons to the media treatment Diana experienced.
A change from the brothers’ 2017 collaboration
Any new Harry-led project would mark a departure from the approach taken for the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death in 2017, when Harry and William jointly took part in the BBC documentary Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, combining personal memories from both brothers with archive material. Given the brothers’ well-documented estrangement since then, a repeat of that joint approach for the 30th anniversary appears unlikely.
Harry’s potential documentary would not be the only major Diana production in development ahead of 2027. A separate three-part documentary, currently known by the working title Diana: The Unheard Truth, is being produced by Love Monday TV and 53 Degrees Global. That project is expected to include around five hours of previously unheard recordings of Diana, with filming continuing through 2026 ahead of a planned release timed to the anniversary.
Harry’s public appearance at WellChild Awards
News of Harry’s possible documentary emerged as he made his third public appearance since returning to Britain, attending the WellChild Awards in central London on Monday evening. Arriving at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, the Duke was met with a series of questions from reporters about his family but did not respond. His appearance came just days after extracts from Earl Spencer’s memoir began generating headlines, including the claims relating to King Charles’s reaction following Diana’s death.
At the awards ceremony, which celebrates children living with complex medical needs and those who care for them, Harry said there was “not a dry eye in the house.” Addressing parents and carers, he said: “To all the mums and dads – most of us will never truly know the emotional ups and downs of your day. But I sincerely hope that you take strength from nights like this. And while we may not know the detail of your day, in this room and beyond, we recognise the commitment of your care and all that comes with it.”
