Princess Diana's Absence Felt 27 Years Later: 'Things Would Be Different' If Beloved Late Royal Were Here to 'Stop Royal Feud' Between Sons Harry and William

On a late summer's still night in 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, lost her life in a severe car crash in Paris, France, at the age of 36.

27 years later, and her two sons with King Charles III, Princes William, 42, and Harry, 39, avoided one another at Lord Robert Fellowes' recent funeral. This led the princess's former butler, Paul Burrell, to share how "things would be different" between the princes if the beloved late royal were here today.

"If Diana was here, they would be different because she wouldn't stand for this nonsense, and she would have sorted it out long before now, but unfortunately, there's nobody here that can sort it out," Burrell said on behalf of Spin Genie. "So Harry has made his bed, and he's got to lie in it."

The former palace aide, who worked directly with Princess Di from 1987 until her death, further added how most of the animosity between her "two boys" comes from Harry via his wife, Meghan Markle.

"There's no way back for Harry or Meghan," he continued. "I don't think there's any way back for them. I know that there are people out there that support Meghan and Harry, and I do get nasty emails from time to time to say, 'Why are you so against Harry when he's Diana's son?' I'm not against Harry, 'Diana's son' — I'm against Harry, who has come up against his brother, a member of the royal family — two different things here"

The princess' "rock" then observed, "Of course, he is Diana's son, and I acknowledge that, and I wish things were different."

On August 30, 2017, one day before the 20th anniversary of their mother's passing, the two brothers memorably participated in several public engagements and tributes to the former HRH. They visited Kensington Palace’s White Garden, which was specially planted in Diana’s honor with white flowers, inspired by her love of beauty and nature. The garden, located at her former home, was meant to evoke her style and celebrate her life.

Their last joint Diana-themed engagement came on July 1, 2021, with the unveiling of her statue at Kensington Palace, which was the princess' home at the time of her death. This date marked what would have been the Princess of Wales' 60th birthday.

No further appearances or joint initiatives surrounding their mother's memory have been able to repair the brothers' rift since. This is all thanks to their "likely permanent feud" revolving around Harry's January 2023 memoir, Spare, and his and Meghan's "attacks" on the royal family since.

Every August 31, and even with the passage of nearly 30 years, Lady Diana's fans actively reminisce about the princess who was "taken far too soon."

Many also hope that one day the sons she "loved more than anything" can recapture "the compassion for others" she spread around the world.