‘He wants to be his own man’: Prince William hires his late mother Princess Diana’s divorce lawyers Mishcon de Reya in bombshell move
Prince William has hired his late mother Princess Diana’s divorce lawyers in a shock turn of events.
Prince William has engaged the prestigious legal firm that once acted for his late mother, Princess Diana, in what is being viewed as a telling shift in direction for the future king.
The London-based firm, Mishcon de Reya, famously represented Diana during her tumultuous 1996 divorce from then-Prince Charles.
The decision to now instruct the same firm signals a notable departure from royal precedent, with William no longer using the legal team traditionally associated with the Palace.
Prince William and his wife Princess Catherine, have been married for 13 years. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Until recently, the Prince of Wales, 43, had been represented by Harbottle & Lewis, the law firm long favoured by King Charles. One of its partners, Gerrard Tyrrell, had acted on behalf of both father and son.
“William wanted to strike out on his own,” a source told Mail Online’s royal correspondent Richard Eden.
“He did not want to continue using his father’s lawyers. It’s as simple as that. He wants to be his own man.”
The appointment will no doubt be welcomed by Mishcon de Reya and its deputy chairman, Anthony Julius, who personally represented Diana during her divorce and went on to work closely with Prince William through the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.
Julius served as a founding trustee and later vice-president until the fund was closed in 2012.
The Princess Of Wales solicitor, Anthony Julius At Mishcon De Reya, announcing that the Prince and Princess of Wales (Charles and Diana) have concluded settlement terms for their divorce, which will be absolute on August 28, 1996. Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
According to insiders, William’s decision is viewed within Buckingham Palace as yet another sign of his intent to forge his own path as a modern royal.
“William wants to do things differently from his father, and wants to be seen to do them differently,” a source close to the Prince said.
Diana’s relationship with Mishcon de Reya has long been part of royal history, particularly due to a controversial note allegedly recorded by Lord Mishcon following a private meeting with the Princess in 1995.
The so-called ‘Mishcon Note’, raised again in recent years by documentary makers, outlined concerns Diana reportedly shared about a supposed plot to harm her in a staged car crash.
Diana, Princess of Wales, puts her hand on Prince William’s back as they entered the Chelsea Harbour Club in London. This was the first time she had seen her children since her divorce from King Charles (then Prince Charles). Picture: AP Photo Michael Crabtree
The late Princess Diana tragically died in a car accident in Paris on 31 August 1997, alongside her partner Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul.
The note, written two years prior and reportedly handed to then-Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Condon, was kept in a secure location for years and resurfaced during inquiries into the Princess’ death.
In 2022, Channel 4 UK aired Investigating Diana: Death in Paris, a four-part documentary that explored the contents and context of the note, including Diana’ s alleged fears and the circumstances surrounding her death.
SkyNews.com.au has contacted Mishcon de Reya for comment.
