Charles Spencer is opening up about his current relationships with his nephews Prince William and Prince Harry.
The 9th Earl Spencer recently sat down with Katie Couric for an interview on her podcast, Next Question With Katie Couric, during which they discussed his new memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.
Spencer, 62, previously said he told the estranged brothers he had written the book at “exactly” the same time, after it had already been completed. He told Couric that he’s been fairly hands-off with William, 44, and Harry, 42, as they’ve become adults.
“I’m just an elderly uncle really,” he said. “I’ve always taken the view since Diana died that I’m there if needed, and I’m not if not…. I think these are two men in their 40s and they can make of me what they want or not.”
Spencer also shared that he sees similarities in how Harry and his late mother were treated by the royal family and the U.K. press after they left its inner circle.
“I think even people in Britain have no idea how powerful the royal family remain,” Spencer said. “You think, oh, it’s nice pageantry, and they flounce around at state occasions. They have direct access to seriously powerful people who are either sycophantic or going to benefit in some way.”
“And this is what Diana came up against. Harry’s come up against it. I get it for two or three weeks, and then they’ll move on to someone else. Harry gets it every day, and it’s not okay.”