William and Kate will never be publicly drawn into row over Earl Spencer's book and will not take any part in a documentary to mark 30th anniversary of Diana's death, royal sources say

Prince William and the Princess of Wales will never be publicly drawn into the row over Earl Spencer's book about Diana - or Harry's apparent wish to make a new documentary about her.

The royal couple will keep their thoughts to themselves, especially about the bombshell memoir, serialised in the Daily Mail, and the damage it has inflicted on King Charles.

William is said to be 'furious' about the book after his uncle claimed on US television that he has spoken to his nephew since it was released.

But the heir to the throne and his wife are completely focussed on their royal and charitable duties.

William, Kate and their team will not engage with anything connected to Earl Spencer's book about the late Princess of Wales.

And that position will not change, according to a source close to the couple, after the memoir divided opinion and Earl Spencer continues to promote it around the world.

William and Harry appeared together on the 20th anniversary of Diana's death in 2017 in the ITV documentary Diana, Our Mother: Her Life And Legacy - but this will not be repeated after William decided not to do the same in 2027.

Harry, meanwhile, is understood to have asked a number of Diana's friends and family - including his uncle Charles - whether they would take part in a commemorative film ahead of the milestone next summer.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, pictured at the world premiere of Tom Cruise's Digger, will not be drawn into any row over Earl Spencer's book or marking Princess Diana's death

Charles Spencer is seen at CBS Mornings in New York City on Monday while promoting his new book Swan Song: Diana, My Sister

Earl Spencer, meanwhile, is continuing to promote the book with a series of television interviews in the US.

Last night, he doubled down on his claim that Charles told him Diana would soon be forgotten after her death.

He said: 'He genuinely said that. I call it "those five words". And I told people close to me about it at the time. It was so shocking.

'And it stemmed from our severe disagreement about whether William and Harry should, at the ages of 15 and 12, have to walk behind their mother's coffin in front of the world. I thought it was an absurd idea and completely wrong. He saw things very differently.

'We had a difference of opinion. I kept very calm. And we all know he has a temper. You may remember the scene where he loses his temper with a fountain pen when he's signing a document after becoming King. It was probably one of those moments for him. But for me, as a grieving brother, it was very shocking.'

Asked about his relationship with the future King and his estranged brother Harry, Earl Spencer told CNN: 'I've always just been an uncle. They're men in their 40s now. I'm there if needed. It's public record that Harry came to stay with me with his family in July. So if I'm needed, I'm there, but I'm not in anyone's way.'

Kensington Palace has declined to comment on the book.

Buckingham Palace issued an unprecedented statement suggesting that grief may have coloured Earl Spencer's recollection of events.

Charles is said to be personally apoplectic.

Meanwhile, Prince William, who was 15 when his mother died in a car crash in Paris in August 1997, has been carefully considering whether to take part in any programmes marking the anniversary.

He received several approaches to make or appear in a documentary and even held private talks at Kensington Palace last week with BBC director-general Tim Davie.

However, the heir to the throne is understood to have decided against appearing on screen, partly to avoid any further conflict with his estranged brother. 

Harry and William at the unveiling of a statue of Princess Diana at Kensington Palace in 2021

Charles and Diana on their last official trip together to South Korea in November 1992

William does not want himself and Harry to be 'pitted against each other', one source claimed in the Sunday Times.

Harry wants to reconcile with his estranged brother - but the 30th anniversary of their late mother will make no difference to his hope, a royal author close to the Sussexes has claimed.

Omid Scobie said the duke had 'made it no secret that his wish for things moving forward, not just with his father, but with his brother as well, is to reconcile'.

Royal observers have been hoping that next year's milestone after Diana died in a car crash in Paris in August 1997 could help bring the brothers back together again.

But Mr Scobie, once dubbed Harry and Meghan's 'cheerleader', told an ABC News Studios documentary: 'I can't see it making any difference, but one can always hope.'

Speaking more widely about Harry and Meghan's return to the UK last month after six years in America, he added: 'Regardless of whether you care about Harry and Meghan or the Royal Family, the reality is that the world can't stop watching.'

Since Harry and Meghan flew back to England, they have been involved in a public spat with Buckingham Palace about their status, and their children have moved schools after issues were raised by their security team about the school run. 

Also in the programme, Mr Scobie claimed King Charles now has a 'warmth' towards the Sussexes – but insisted the duke's relationship with William will never improve.

He said: 'I think we've seen with Charles things have moved forward and that iciness has thawed out. There's a warmth there. With William, I don't see it will ever change.

'There's always this talk of Kate potentially being the peacekeeper, the one that could bring the two brothers together. If I've learned anything over the years from covering them, it's that Kate has very little to do with that relationship between the brothers.'