Prince Harry once harbored the hope that his family would recognize a deep and personal connection between Meghan Markle and his late mother, Princess Diana. According to revelations in the book Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors by British author Tom Bower, Harry believed that Meghan and Diana shared emotional and personal qualities that would naturally draw comparisons. He had expected Diana’s family, especially her sisters, to see echoes of the beloved Princess in his future wife. However, when this recognition did not materialize, Harry was left feeling disheartened and isolated.
The book sheds light on Harry’s emotional expectations and the reality that followed. It suggests that Harry was confident that those closest to his mother would understand his point of view—that both Meghan and Diana struggled under similar pressures and demonstrated resilience in the face of relentless public scrutiny. Unfortunately, Bower reports that no such affirmation came from Diana’s family or close friends. Instead, they reportedly failed to see any meaningful resemblance between the two women, a realization that deeply disappointed the prince. Even more troubling for Harry was the notion that Meghan might never truly belong in the royal fold—a sentiment he found difficult to accept.
Despite the lack of familial support in this regard, Harry continued to publicly draw connections between Meghan and his mother. Over the years, he has often spoken about the similarities he sees in their personalities, particularly their empathy, kindness, and confidence. In the 2022 Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, he expressed how much Meghan reminded him of his mother, citing her warmth and compassion as standout traits. During the couple’s engagement interview with the BBC in 2017, he also expressed the belief that Diana would have shared a strong bond with Meghan, imagining them as close friends had she been alive.
More recently, Harry voiced his growing frustration over the withdrawal of his police protection in the UK, a decision he believes was an effort to force him and Meghan to stay tethered to the royal family. Following their step back from official duties and relocation to the United States in 2020, the couple lost taxpayer-funded security, a move Harry described as shocking and hard to accept. He has since taken legal action, challenging the UK government’s decision, and remains vocal about what he sees as the risks posed to his family. His ongoing efforts, including a recent court appearance in London, underscore his determination to secure safety for his wife and children, independent of royal backing.
At the heart of it all, Harry has consistently maintained that his pursuit of a peaceful life with Meghan was not just about distance from royal pressures but about forging a new path grounded in love and respect. He hoped that stepping back from the institution might help repair strained relationships with his family. However, the couple’s perception that the security removal was a pressure tactic has only added to the tension. Through it all, Harry remains steadfast in his belief that Meghan shares an emotional kinship with his late mother—something he wishes his family had recognized from the beginning.