Though Prince William and Prince Harry remain estranged, the brothers are quietly united by one cause close to both their hearts: preserving the legacy of their late mother, Princess Diana. In a rare moment of shared sentiment, the two princes may find themselves connected, albeit indirectly, through an upcoming auction dedicated to the beloved Princess of Wales.
Set for June, the event will showcase around 200 iconic fashion pieces worn by Diana, in what is expected to be one of the most significant sales honoring her memory. According to Hello!, the idea to auction off Diana’s dresses was originally conceived by William and Harry themselves, as a way to raise funds for charities she supported.
Now, years later, the brothers may once again take part, behind the scenes, to ensure her legacy remains intact. Martin Nolan, executive director and co-founder of Julien’s Auctions, told Hello! that while the princes are unlikely to attend in person, he suspects they may participate through representatives.
“I would expect that they are tempted and expect that they do and expect they have representatives who buy on their behalf,” Nolan said. “And that’s understandable. I would too.” Nolan emphasized the emotional significance of many of the garments, including pieces with direct connections to the princes’ childhood.
“You see the ski suit and the great photographs of them, or the shoes that she wore when she went to the dinosaur exhibition at the Museum of Natural History here,” he explained. “You know, like all of those — they’re memories for them. It’s their mum. She’s the most famous person in the world, but of course they would love to own some of these and preserve them for their own memories.”
Though tensions between William and Harry have remained high in recent years — particularly following Harry’s departure from royal duties and his explosive memoir Spare — the upcoming auction may serve as a rare moment of quiet unity.
A source previously told Woman’s Day that Harry “deeply regret[s]” the 1997 decision to auction off 79 of Diana’s gowns, made jointly with William after her death. Now, the Duke of Sussex is reportedly on a “mission” to recover key items connected to his mother, driven by a “deep need to feel close to his mum.”
Whether or not the brothers appear publicly at the auction, the shared goal of honoring Princess Diana may, if only symbolically, bring them closer once again.