With No Royals In Sight, Prince Harry Is Supported By Princess Diana’s Siblings at Invictus Games Event in London
The Spencer siblings stepped up to make sure that Harry had family on hand at his milestone celebration.


When Princess Diana’s brother Charles Spencer eulogized his sister at her funeral at Westminster Abbey on September 6, 1997, he made a pledge to her regarding her beloved sons, Prince William and Prince Harry: “I pledge that we, your blood family, will do all we can to continue the imaginative way in which you were steering these two exceptional young men so that their souls are not simply immersed by duty and tradition, but can sing openly, as you planned,” he said, as the world watched. “We fully respect the heritage into which they have both been born and will always respect and encourage them in their royal role but we, like you, recognize the need for them to experience as many different aspects of life as possible to arm them spiritually and emotionally for the years ahead. I know you would have expected nothing less from us.”
Nearly 27 years after making a pledge to his sister Diana at her funeral, Charles Spencer, seen here at Harry's Invictus Games celebration tonight, is making sure his promise is fulfilled to be there for her sons.
As King Charles attended a garden party roughly three miles away this evening, his younger son, Prince Harry, was at St. Paul’s Cathedral—interestingly, the location of Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981—to celebrate 10 years of the Invictus Games, Harry’s passion project and the work of his life. The King turned down the opportunity to meet with Harry while his son was in the U.K., citing a busy schedule, Harry’s spokesperson confirmed yesterday; no members of the royal family turned up to Harry’s Service of Thanksgiving.
But then, the Spencer family swooped in. Diana was one of four Spencer siblings—she had two older sisters, Sarah and Jane, and a younger brother, Charles. Hello reports that Jane (now Lady Jane Fellowes) and Charles (more formally, Earl Charles Spencer) were in attendance at Harry’s service, and arrived together “with the pair sharing a smile,” the outlet reports. Sarah (now Lady Sarah McCorquodale) was also in attendance, Hello reports.
Harry with Diana's three siblings at an event in 2021 honoring what would have been her 60th birthday.
When Harry arrived at St. Paul’s, he too was smiling and “waving at cheering members of the crowd that had amassed,” Hello reports. Inside, 1,000 people gathered for the ceremony, and “Harry was clearly buoyed by the show of support from Charles, Lady Sarah, and Lady Jane,” the publication added.
Speaking to Hello about Harry’s attendance at the service, David Wiseman, a former competitor in the Games, said “We wouldn’t be here without Prince Harry, would we? We wouldn’t be here without his initial vision, without his drive, without his influence, without his ability to convene this international community of those who have served and continue to serve. And he’s so passionate about serving that community. He’s one of us—he’s part of this community, and we’re incredibly proud to have him as part of it. We’re delighted he’s here to help us celebrate the past 10 years, and to look forward to the next 10 years.”
Harry arriving at tonight's Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral.
Harry founded the Games in 2014 as a multi-sport event for injured or sick service personnel, both veterans and those still actively serving. With no members of the royal family there and his wife, Meghan Markle, back at home in the U.S., “fans had been worried Harry would be at the service alone,” The Mirror reports—but should feel hopeful that Harry did, indeed, have family there, after all. (Somewhere, surely, Diana is smiling.)
Of the Games, Harry said this week “Sometimes you…look back and go, ‘Look at what we’ve done,’” he said. “But also, given the state of the world, there is so much more to do, and I think a lot of uncertainty—but what we’ve created is a global community.” When asked about the future of the Games, Harry confirmed they would continue so long as they “serve their purpose,” he said.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Harry said the Invictus Games will continue as long as they serve a purpose.
Harry will next join up with Meghan in Nigeria, where they will discuss possible future opportunities for the country to host a future iteration of the Games.
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
Why One Former Queen Was Held "Prisoner" at Kensington Palace
She was forbidden "from reading popular books" or walking "downstairs without holding someone's hand."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Dua Lipa Pairs Her Snakeskin Trench With a Chanel Bag
The pop star's new rules scream loud luxury.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Kate Middleton Refused to Abide by a 350-Year-Old Royal Tradition
She insisted on doing this one very important thing her way, according to a royal expert.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Proves He's a Total Girl Dad in Sweet New Photo of Daughter Princess Lilibet
Lilibet is curled up in her dad's lap in the previously unseen snap.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Makes a Brief but Meaningful Appearance in Netflix's 'With Love, Meghan'
The Duke of Sussex requests a mimosa as he supports wife Meghan Markle at an important event.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Celebrate Meghan Markle's New Netflix Show With an Amazing Gift
The little royals paid tribute to their mom's success in the sweetest way.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Reveals His Favorite Thing About Raising Lilibet and Archie in California
The Duke of Sussex shared the one thing he can do in the U.S. "without any issue."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Shares One Thing He's "Never" Done as a Royal During Surprise Visit
"As a man who was born into a life of service, I recognize that with power and a platform comes responsibility."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Former Royal Aide Says It's Been "Hard and Sad" to Witness Prince William and Prince Harry's Alleged Rift
"They achieved a lot together, and none of that can ever be taken away."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
You're Definitely Not Ready for Prince Archie's Adorable American Accent
Meghan Markle shared a new Instagram Story, which casually included the little royal's voice.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
How Meghan Markle Included a Sentimental Nod to Prince Harry—and Queen Elizabeth—in the Logo for As Ever
The design is full of meaning.
By Kristin Contino Published