Earl Spencer, brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, has drawn a stark comparison between the media treatment of his sister and that of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Spencer stated in an interview with the BBC that the press's influence on the lives of Harry and Meghan is "cancerous."

Spencer expressed his regret that echoes of his sister's experiences with the tabloid press are visible in the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex today. He believes that lessons should be learned from Princess Diana's struggles, suggesting that the relentless criticism from the press can be a destructive force.

According to Spencer, Princess Diana was significantly affected by press criticism during her lifetime. He feels it is unfortunate to see similar patterns emerging in the lives of her son, Prince Harry, and his wife, Meghan. He articulated that for individuals enduring daily attacks from the tabloid press, the impact is akin to a "cancerous influence."

The full interview, titled "Princess Diana: My Sister's Story," is scheduled to be available on BBC iPlayer and broadcast on BBC One on Sunday. The interview is expected to delve deeper into Spencer's perspectives on the royal family and the media.

Princess Diana's relationship with the media was intensely scrutinized throughout her public life. Her struggles with invasive press coverage are well-documented and are often cited as a factor in the immense pressure she faced. Spencer's comments suggest a belief that the dynamics between the modern royal family and the press have not fundamentally changed, despite past tragedies.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have themselves been vocal about their negative experiences with the British tabloid press. Prince Harry has spoken extensively about protecting his family from the "feeding frenzy" he believes mirrors what his mother endured. Their decision to step back from senior royal duties was partly attributed to the intense media attention.

Spencer's remarks come amid ongoing discussions about media ethics and the impact of relentless public scrutiny on public figures, particularly those within the royal sphere. The comparison to his sister, who died in a car crash while being pursued by paparazzi, lends significant weight to his concerns.

These statements by Earl Spencer are likely to reignite debate about the responsibilities of the media in its coverage of public figures and the potential psychological toll such attention can take. The question remains whether the lessons from Princess Diana's experiences have been adequately learned and applied in contemporary media practices.