More than two decades after Princess Diana’s untimely death, new details continue to emerge about her parenting philosophy—particularly her concerns for her younger son, Prince Harry. In a candid revelation, Diana’s former butler and trusted aide, Paul Burrell, has shared that the late Princess was opposed to Harry attending Eton College, despite the school’s prestigious royal connections.
According to Burrell, Diana believed that Eton, where Prince William was already enrolled, was not the right fit for Harry’s personality or academic strengths. Unlike William, who was more bookish and suited to the school’s academic rigor, Harry was a more hands-on learner with a free-spirited and outgoing nature. Diana feared that the elite boarding school—renowned for its tradition, discipline, and high expectations—would stifle Harry rather than support his growth.
“She knew her boys,” Burrell explained in an interview. “She knew that Harry wasn’t academically inclined like William. She feared he’d always be compared to his brother, always in his shadow.”
Indeed, Eton had become the go-to school for aristocracy and the elite, and William had reportedly adapted well. But Diana wanted Harry to flourish in his own way—outside of constant comparisons and the rigid expectations that came with royal life. She was keen on giving her younger son a more tailored, supportive educational environment—perhaps even something more creative or vocational, rather than one that emphasized traditional academics.
But despite her reservations, Diana’s wishes were ultimately overruled. Prince Charles was adamant that Harry should follow in William’s footsteps and attend Eton. As was often the case in their strained co-parenting dynamic, the decision leaned toward tradition rather than Diana’s more intuitive and emotionally aware approach.
“She lost that battle,” Burrell said. “And it hurt her. She wanted to protect Harry from the pressures she knew would come.”
Princess Diana had long been recognized for her modern and hands-on approach to parenting. She took William and Harry to theme parks, fast food restaurants, and homeless shelters—not as photo opportunities, but as genuine efforts to give them a view of the real world. Her concerns about Eton reflected that same spirit. She didn’t just want her children to be royals—she wanted them to be grounded, emotionally intelligent human beings.
Ironically, in his memoir Spare, Prince Harry would later reflect on his struggles at Eton. He confessed to feeling out of place, disinterested in many of the academic subjects, and constantly living in the shadow of his older brother. It appears Diana’s instincts were spot on.