The couple's upcoming Netflix feature film has raised concerns about its potential to exploit sensitive themes, which could strain relations not only within the royal family, particularly with Prince William, but also within the Spencer family.
Reports indicate that Harry and Meghan secured the rights to adapt "Meet Me at the Lake," a novel penned by Carly Fortune. This bestselling book delves into a love story marked by complex issues such as mental health struggles, postnatal depression, and the lingering trauma of losing a parent in a tragic car accident.
The choice of this novel is intriguingly fitting, given its striking parallels to the Sussexes' own experiences. However, critics fear that these resemblances might inadvertently rekindle buried emotional wounds.
Tragically, both Prince Harry and Meghan have faced deeply impactful personal struggles that mirror the themes of the novel. Harry's mother, Princess Diana, met her untimely end in a car crash back in 1997, while Meghan has been candid about her battle with postnatal depression and her past struggles with drug and alcohol use. The memoir by Harry, "The Juke," also explores similar terrain.
Sally Baker, a respected therapist and relationship expert, voiced concerns that moving forward with this project could adversely affect the already delicate ties between the brothers, Prince William and Prince Harry. Baker pointed out that the coincidences between the novel and the Sussexes' real-life narratives could potentially force unresolved issues into the public sphere. While the exploration of such deep-seated traumas might be seen as a brave and inspiring step, Baker fears that Prince William may perceive it as an opportunistic move to capitalize on family tragedy for financial gain.
Indeed, Prince Harry and Meghan stand to gain substantial monetary rewards from their Hollywood endeavors, including an upcoming documentary centered around Princess Diana's tragic death. However, this development has sparked a vehement reaction from the Spencer family. They strongly oppose what they perceive as Harry and Meghan's ongoing exploitation of Diana's legacy for attention and profit. The Spencer family has already weathered its share of defamation, notably in portrayals on shows like Netflix's "The Crown."
Notably, Diana's sister, Lady Sarah Spencer, has taken a particularly strong stance against Meghan's actions. She finds Meghan's approach distasteful and disrespectful, accusing her of preventing Diana from finding peace in her eternal rest. It's worth noting that while "The Crown" depicts Sarah Spencer's character in a negative light—portraying her as assertive and demanding—the reality paints a vastly different picture. Diana held her sister in high regard, with biographer Sarah Bradford confirming that Diana deeply admired Sarah. In fact, Sarah was one of Diana's few confidants, and Diana referred to her as the only person she could truly trust.
Following Diana's tragic passing, Lady Sarah Spencer played an active role in upholding her sister's legacy. She was instrumental in overseeing the distribution of millions of pounds from the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund to various charitable causes. Lady Sarah Spencer maintained a close relationship with Diana's children and remained dedicated to preserving her sister's memory.
Current sources suggest that Sarah Spencer is contemplating wielding her authority over Diana's legacy to exert influence and potentially dissuade Prince Harry from continuing his involvement in Meghan's movie project. The intention behind this move is clear: to compel Harry to reconsider his participation and to halt the perceived exploitation of Diana's name.
Interestingly, author Tom Bower has shed light on Meghan's tactics in his book, highlighting how she manipulated Harry by drawing comparisons between herself and Diana. When Meghan was introduced to the Spencer family, she strategically emphasized her supposed similarity to Harry's mother. However, the Spencers saw through this façade quickly, although their desire to support Harry led them to attend the wedding. It's reasonable to speculate that they were all concerned about the sustainability of the union and anticipated the challenges that lay ahead.
In the end, the Spencer family's priority lies in protecting Harry and preventing further harm. They fear for Harry's well-being and the potential toll his association with Meghan might take on him. Diana would undoubtedly be disheartened to witness her beloved youngest son entangled in a destructive cycle. Moreover, she would likely be appalled by the conspiracy theories surrounding her own tragic death, which have captured Harry's belief. The Spencer family's concerns reflect their deep-rooted love for Harry and their unwavering commitment to preserving Diana's memory with dignity and respect.
