Meghan and Harry's break from the royals branded a 'betrayal of Diana's values'

A royal expert has claimed Princess Diana would view Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to isolate themselves from the rest of the royal family as a "betrayal" in shocking new comments. In an exclusive chat with express.co.uk, Royal commentator Lydia Alty said the late Princess of Wales, who would have turned 64 today (August 31) would be torn between sympathy for her youngest son and deep disappointment in the path he has chosen.

She explained: "If Princess Diana were alive today, she would likely understand why Harry felt the need to step back from royal life-after all, she herself had navigated the pressures of a troubled marriage and eventually divorced Charles, yet she continued to carry out her royal duties with dignity. Diana knew the importance of balancing personal freedom with responsibility, and even after her separation, she remained committed to charitable work and maintaining relationships with the royal family, despite a complicated relationship with Charles."

But the expert stressed Diana would have been alarmed by Harry and Meghan's actions since leaving the Firm.

"If Diana, Princess of Wales, were alive today, the way Harry and Meghan have conducted themselves would almost certainly be deeply disappointing," Alty said.

"Rather than maintaining family bonds, they have chosen a path that prioritises fame and financial gain, with high-profile media appearances, book deals, and Netflix projects.

"Their decision to isolate themselves-and their children-from the extended family would likely strike Diana as a betrayal of the values she tried to instil in her sons: loyalty, empathy, and a sense of duty."

Harry, 40, and Meghan, 44, stepped back as senior royals in 2020, citing relentless press intrusion and a lack of palace support.

The couple moved to California and went public with their grievances in interviews, documentaries, and Harry's memoir Spare.

In the book, Harry alleged Prince William branded Meghan "difficult" and "rude" before grabbing him by the collar and knocking him onto a dog bowl, leaving him with cuts and bruises.

The rift has only widened in recent years. In May, Harry revealed he longed for peace after losing a legal battle over his publicly funded security, but said his father-who is battling an undisclosed form of cancer-refused to speak with him.

Harry admitted: "I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight anymore. I don't know how much longer my father has."

Meanwhile, Meghan is preparing Season 2 of her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan, while Harry is expected back in the UK in September for his charity, WellChild. Whether he will reunite with his family remains to be seen.

Lydia summed up Diana's likely feelings about the enormous rift: "Observing Harry and Meghan's focus on fame and commercial ventures, she would likely feel a profound sense of disappointment.

"In her eyes, the legacy she worked so hard to create-one rooted in compassion, service, and family connection-was being overshadowed by choices driven by personal ambition rather than duty."