Psychotherapist who was close friends with Princess Diana reveals Prince William and Prince Harry are both ‘very authentic’ – and says Megxit simply shows the ‘complexity of families’
- Julia Samuel, 60, London met Diana at dinner party in 1987 became close friends
- Therapist revealed Harry and William are ‘same in public’ as they are in private
- She said that ‘no family is perfect’ and they represent normal ‘complex’ families
Princess Diana ‘s close friend Julia Samuel has revealed that both Prince William and Harry are ‘very authentic’ and believes Megxit simply shows the ‘complexity’ of any normal family.
The psychotherapist, 60, London, became close to Lady Diana after meeting her at a dinner party in 1987, and is godmother to Prince George.
She was even mentioned by Meghan Markle, 38, in her engagement interview as helping her understand Harry’s late mother.
She told on Lorraine today that what the brothers ‘show in public’ is what they’re ‘actually like’, and explained that the recent rows surrounding Harry, 35, and Meghan’s royal status simply represents the normal ‘complexity’ of a family.
This follows the Sussexes’ first face-to-face talk with the Queen at Windsor Castle since they announced their decision to step back as senior royals, during which she reportedly told the couple they’re ‘always welcome back’.
Julia (pictured) told on Lorraine today she felt recent rows surrounding Harry and Meghan’s royal status simply represents the normal ‘complexity’ of a family
Princess Diana ‘s close friend Julia Samuel has revealed that both Prince William (right) and Harry (left) are ‘very authentic’ and the same in their public and private life
The psychotherapist, 60, London, became close to Diana after meeting at a dinner party in 1987, is godmother to Prince George. They are pictured in 1994
She said: ‘I think we all do know them in a way, from those young boys. I think what they show in public is what the’re like. So they’re very authentic.’
‘I think they represent the complexity of families’, added Julia.
‘Nobody has the perfect family and it’s not about not having disagreements, but talking about it and communicating about it, open families are the best.’
Harry and Meghan’s final official engagement as royals was confirmed on Sunday and the pair are set to join the Queen, Prince William and Kate Middleton for a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey next week.
This news comes after reports that Her Majesty, 93, invited the Duke of Sussex to lunch on Sunday for a heart-to-heart chat ahead of his and Meghan Markle’s final duties in Britain this month
Julia was mentioned by Meghan in her engagement interview as helping her to understand the Princess of Wales. Princess Diana is pictured with her sons in 1993
It will be the first time the Duke and Duchess have appeared with the royal family since their bombshell ‘Megxit’ announcement in January, and their last as senior royals.
Julia is a founder of Child Bereavement UK, and became so close to the Princess of Wales that Diana would collect Julia’s children from school.
Speaking of the late royal, Julia said: ‘She was amazing. She broke a lot of the stigma and taboo around mental health.
‘I think what they and she have been very good at raising awareness that mental illness is invisible.
Julia is a founder of Child Bereavement UK, and became so close to the Princess of Wales that Diana would collect Julia’s children from school
Julia told on today’s show that what the brothers ‘show in public’ is what they’re ‘actually like’
‘I think that’s one of the things, everyone who reads the book has their own difficulties but because we’re not honest about them and we’re not transparent, you think everyone else is coping.’
This news comes after reports that Her Majesty, 93, invited the Duke of Sussex to lunch on Sunday for a heart-to-heart chat ahead of his and Meghan Markle’s final duties in Britain this month.
It is believed Harry walked almost two miles from Frogmore Cottage in Home Park, Windsor, to the castle on Sunday after requesting a meeting with his grandmother.
An insider said the Queen ended the chat by telling Harry he is ‘much loved and will always be welcomed back’, the Sun reported.