Diana would have 'broken heart' over Prince Harry’s 'desertion' of duty, close aide says

Diana ensured Harry knew his duty was to play wingman for his brother, Burrell claimed (Image: Getty)

Diana, Princess of Wales would be "broken-hearted" seeing Prince Harry renege his duties towards the Royal Family, the late royal's former butler claimed.

Paul Burrell argued Diana taught Harry to play "wingman" to his older brother Prince William to support him on his path to becoming the king.

The former butler argued the Duke of Sussex began shifting away from his role after meeting his future wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.

And he claimed the late Diana would have struggled to accept Harry "deserting" his duty to both William and the monarchy.

Speaking on behalf of Slingo, Burrell said: "I saw first-hand Diana raise William and Harry and it was always Harry's duty and his job to be a wingman for his brother.

Burrell argued Diana knew public service was a requirement of her privileged life (Image: Getty)

"He always knew that William would be king and Harry would be second in charge, but something happened, and that was Meghan. She changed his world and turned it upside down.

"Diana would not be happy with the way he has deserted his post. He has not only deserted his post, he has deserted his family and his country."

Burrell argued Diana was aware that her role as a royal came with the requirement of public service and sought to teach both her sons the importance of their positions.

He suggested the late royal would have likely remained a source of advice to Harry and William had she lived – and would have kept them from feuding.

The former royal butler added: "Diana always knew that the price to pay for an extremely privileged life, which they have, is public service, and Harry hasn’t paid that price.

Burrell claimed Diana would be broken-hearted seeing Harry renounce his duties (Image: Getty)

"If she was still alive, none of this would be happening because she would still have her hands on the reins and she would still be steering her children.

"She would be proud of William but she would have a broken heart over Harry because she would be torn over the love for her son and the desertion of his duty.”

Prince Harry stepped down from his official role within the Royal Family in 2020, when he and Meghan Markle unveiled plans to settle down with their family in North America.

The pair have since established the Archewell Foundation and have continued to carry out charitable engagements linked to causes they hold clause to their hearts, including female empowerment, online safety and support programmes for veterans.