Why Prince William is staying away from Princess Diana documentaries ahead of the 30th anniversary; it has a connection back to 2017

As the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death approaches, interest in her life and legacy is once again growing. But Prince William appears set to keep his distance from the wave of new projects expected to revisit his mother’s story. Reports say the Prince of Wales has declined several approaches to appear in documentaries, even as Prince Harry is considering a project of his own.

William has reportedly declined documentary offers

Prince William has reportedly turned down multiple offers to participate in documentaries marking the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death on August 31, 2027. The decision comes as producers and broadcasters prepare projects around the milestone. Recent reports have also focused on Prince Harry, who is exploring possible ways to commemorate his mother's legacy.

People reported that Harry has been considering several projects, including a possible documentary, although no film has been finalised or confirmed. The publication said he has also reached out to people who knew Princess Diana. William's reported reluctance is not entirely unexpected. He has previously indicated that his 2017 documentary about Diana was something he did not intend to repeat.

William previously said he would not do it again

William and Harry appeared together in the 2017 ITV documentary Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, released ahead of the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death. At the time, William described the programme as a way for the brothers to share memories of their mother and said the process had been “quite cathartic”.

However, he also made his position clear. Speaking to ITV's royal editor Chris Ship before the documentary aired, William said: “We will not be doing this again.” That earlier comment provides important context for his reported decision to stay away from new documentaries almost a decade later. The 2017 film was also unusual because William and Harry controlled their participation. ITV reported that the brothers would not have agreed to take part in a documentary they could not endorse.

Princess Diana's legacy remains a sensitive subject

William's relationship with his mother's public legacy has also been shaped by controversies surrounding the way Princess Diana's story has been told. One significant example was the BBC's 1995 Panorama interview with Diana. In 2021, after the Dyson investigation found that journalist Martin Bashir had used fake documents to secure access to Diana, William strongly criticised the broadcaster.

William said the interview had contributed to his mother's “fear, paranoia and isolation” and argued that it had damaged his parents' relationship. He also called for the programme never to be broadcast again. His response showed that he has been willing to speak publicly when he believes the circumstances surrounding his mother's story require clarification. But that does not necessarily mean he wants to participate in repeated retrospectives about her life.

Harry is considering a different approach

The situation contrasts with reports about Harry's plans for the 30th anniversary. According to People, Harry is considering different ways to honour Princess Diana, with a documentary among the possibilities. The publication stressed that discussions remain at an early stage and that nothing has been confirmed.

The Independent similarly reported that a potential project could involve Archewell Productions and potentially Netflix, but noted that the plans had not been finalised. The brothers had previously worked together on their mother's story, making the 2017 documentary their most prominent joint television tribute to Princess Diana.

The 30th anniversary will bring renewed attention

Princess Diana died on August 31, 1997, following a car crash in Paris. William was 15, and Harry was 12 at the time. Nearly three decades later, Diana remains a major subject of documentaries, books and television programmes. Her brother, Charles Spencer, has also recently published Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, adding another major account of her life to the public conversation.

Prince William's reported decision to stay away from new Diana documentaries appears consistent with a position he expressed publicly in 2017, when he said the joint film with Harry would not be repeated. As the 30th anniversary approaches, however, Princess Diana's story is likely to remain firmly in the spotlight, with Harry considering new ways to honour his mother and other members of her family also sharing their memories. The contrast means the anniversary could bring renewed public attention to Princess Diana while her two sons continue to approach her legacy in different ways.