Princess Diana feared Prince Harry would struggle to find his place in the royal family while growing up in the shadow of his older brother and future king Prince William, according to a royal expert.

The late Princess of Wales’ concerns about her sons are back in the spotlight amid news of the upcoming three-part documentary "Diana Unheard," which will feature never-before-heard audio from roughly five hours of secret recordings that Diana made with her friend Dr. James Colthurst in 1991.

The documentary's producers told Deadline that the recordings, which were used in Andrew Morton’s explosive 1992 biography, "Diana: Her True Story," include the princess speaking candidly about her sons, William and the line of succession, as well as her troubled marriage to then-Prince Charles and other aspects of royal life.

PRINCE HARRY'S RUMORED DIANA FILM 'MIGHT FEEL LIKE ANOTHER BETRAYAL' TO PRINCE WILLIAM AS RIFT GROWS: EXPERT

While speaking with Fox News Digital, British royals expert Christopher Andersen shared his view that the recordings could reveal Diana's long-held concerns about the vastly different paths awaiting her sons.

"Diana worried from the beginning that Harry might wither in the shadow of his brother the future king," the "Kate!" author said.

PRINCE WILLIAM'S ABSENCE SPEAKS VOLUMES AS KING CHARLES REUNITES WITH PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE: EXPERTS

"Even at a young age, William shared his mother's concerns and for the most part took great pains to spare his brother's feelings," Andersen continued. "It's very telling that, in his last conversation with Diana just hours before her death, William expressed his fear that a photo opportunity at Eton might leave Harry feeling ignored."

Diana died at age 36 in August 1997 after suffering injuries sustained in a car accident in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris, France. Her partner, Dodi Fayed, and the driver, Henri Paul, also died in the crash.

KING CHARLES, PRINCE WILLIAM 'FURIOUS' AS PRINCESS DIANA'S BROTHER UNLEASHES EXPLOSIVE CLAIMS: EXPERTS

Hours before her death, Diana called William, then 15, from her hotel in Paris, according to Morton's biography. During what would become their final conversation, William reportedly told his mother that he had been asked to participate in a solo photocall to mark the beginning of his third year at Eton College and shared that he was deeply concerned the high-profile solo moment would make Harry, then 12, feel overshadowed and excluded.

According to Andersen, Diana had confidence that William, now 44, would succeed in his role as future king, but she was apprehensive over how the monarchy's heir-and-spare dynamic would affect Harry, now 42.

PRINCE GEORGE FOLLOWS PRINCE WILLIAM'S FOOTSTEPS AT ETON IN A CHANGING ROYAL WORLD: EXPERTS

"Wise, sensitive, an old soul — these were some of the words that Diana used to describe William," Andersen said. "She saw him as being mature far beyond his years. While Diana knew much would be demanded of William in the future, she never doubted that he would be up to the task."

"Harry was another matter entirely," Andersen said. "The world saw Harry as a charming scamp, and there definitely was that side to him, but Diana knew better than anyone that always being in his brother's formidable shadow could leave the Spare with deep-seated feelings of insecurity and gnawing self-doubt."

PRINCE WILLIAM'S DOOR IS 'BOLTED SHUT' AS PRINCE HARRY PLANS UK RETURN WITH MEGHAN MARKLE, CHILDREN: EXPERT

However, Andersen expressed his opinion that Diana had faith in the strength of the bond between William and Harry and would not have foreseen their future estrangement.

"Looking back, it's so odd to remember how close the brothers truly were," he said. "They had their moments, as all siblings do, but the boys were always so emotionally dependent on each other."

PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE MIDDLETON 'PLAYING IT COOL' AS PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE RETURN TO THE UK: EXPERT

"Diana always felt that, whatever challenges they faced, William and Harry would weather the storm together," Andersen continued. "She viewed the brothers as a unit. As far as Diana was concerned, theirs was an unbreakable bond."

Royal expert Kinsey Schofield agreed that Diana did not fear that there would be a rift between the brothers but argued that the late princess worried more over William's burden as the future king than Harry's supporting role.

PRINCE WILLIAM, KATE MIDDLETON FACE 'SUSSEX CIRCUS' AS PRINCE GEORGE PREPARES FOR ETON: EXPERT

"Based on my research, Diana was more concerned about the pressures of royal life affecting her sons individually than the possibility of them becoming estranged," the host of YouTube’s "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered" told Fox News Digital.

"Diana understood that William and Harry were destined for very different lives," Schofield continued. "William was born to be king. Harry was born to support him. She wanted them to remain close because she understood the importance of William having someone he could trust."

PRINCE HARRY’S PUSH TO GIVE ARCHIE, LILIBET ROYAL UPBRINGING EXPOSES ‘CONTRADICTION’ AFTER PALACE EXIT: EXPERT

"Prince William’s future weighed heavily on Diana because she understood the responsibility he would inherit," she added. "She knew that William would never have the freedom to simply walk away from his destiny. She spoke to him about the importance of finding a suitable and supportive partner. She believed in his leadership but worried about his reluctance as a child."

"Harry, on the other hand, had opportunities William would never enjoy. He could pursue his own interests, build a career around charitable causes, and enjoy a degree of independence that his brother couldn’t."

Schofield pointed out that Harry was once a favorite of the British public and celebrated for his achievements.

"He was enormously popular," Schofield said. "He had a successful military career, founded the Invictus Games, and was one of the most beloved members of the royal family."

"Harry wasn’t destined for failure because he was born second," she continued. "He had every opportunity to build a meaningful life within the institution."

"I think Diana would have been more concerned about William carrying the weight of the Crown than Harry having to share the spotlight," Schofield added.

The royal experts agreed that Diana would have been shocked and distraught over William and Harry's current estrangement.

"Diana would have been heartbroken, and it's hard for me to imagine that the split ever would have happened if she had been alive," Andersen said. "Things just wouldn't have gotten so out of hand."

"I think Diana would be devastated," Schofield told Fox News Digital. "Prince William and Harry shared an experience that very few people on earth could understand. They lost their mother in front of the entire world. That shared grief should have been something that united them for life."

Reports of tensions between the brothers first emerged in 2018, with Harry publicly acknowledging the strain in their relationship the following year when he said the brothers were on "different paths."

The divide widened further after Harry and his wife Meghan Markle announced their decision to step down from their roles as working royals in January 2020. The two's relationship continued to deteriorate in subsequent years following Harry and Markle's bombshell 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the couple's 2022 Netflix series "Harry & Meghan" and Harry's explosive 2023 memoir "Spare."

However, British royals expert Hilary Fordwich cautioned against viewing Diana's decades-old concerns through the lens of events that unfolded long after her death.

"Hearing tapes today made back in 1991 though shouldn’t be taken as a current verdict regarding events and complicated results of events Princess Diana isn’t tragically alive to witness," Fordwich told Fox News Digital.

While Diana herself was known for challenging royal conventions and became increasingly more independent following her 1992 separation from Charles, she continued carrying out public duties and remained committed to many of the causes she had championed as a working royal.

Andersen and Schofield argued that Diana's rebellious streak does not necessarily mean she would have supported Harry's decision to leave royal duties and his subsequent actions.

"Diana definitely knew that Harry would have to forge his own path to some extent — certainly more so than William, whose role in royal life is preordained," Andersen said. "But I don't believe Diana would have approved of Harry abruptly bailing on the monarchy the way he did."

"True, Diana was a rule-breaker and a rebel, but she also had a strong sense of duty and of history," he continued. "Diana believed that Harry had an important role to play. Harry probably would never be king, but he was the son of one and, as such, had his own unique destiny to fulfill within the monarchy."

GET ENTERTAINMENT SCOOP DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL BY CLICKING HERE

"Of course, Diana would have wanted, above all else, for her sons to be happy, but it never would have occurred to her that Harry would simply turn his back on the rest of the royal family," Andersen added.

"Diana might have sympathized with Harry’s frustrations, but I don’t believe that means she would have supported everything he’s done since leaving," Schofield said.

"Diana understood what it meant to feel trapped," she continued. "But Harry had choices his mother never enjoyed. And he exercised them."

LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Whatever new insights the recordings may offer into Diana's private concerns, Schofield said they could serve as a reminder of the priorities that shaped her life as a mother.

PUT YOUR ENTERTAINMENT KNOWLEDGE TO THE TEST AND SEE HOW YOU SCORE

"Diana wanted both her sons to be happy," Schofield said. "She wanted them to be close. And she wanted them to grow into compassionate men who understood their responsibilities to others."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"If these recordings remind Americans of anything, I hope it’s that Diana’s legacy belongs to both her sons," she said.

• Princess Charlene of Monaco hasn't always been as fashionable as she is now.
• Before marrying Prince Albert, Charlene was an Olympic swimmer representing South Africa.
• Finding her "fashion feet" was a challenge, Charlene said — but now she's embraced daring looks.

When Princess Charlene married Prince Albert of Monaco in 2011, her life changed.

Once best known as an Olympic swimmer representing South Africa, she was reintroduced to the world as a princess.

The official Monaco royal website says she was born Charlene Lynette Wittstock on January 25, 1978, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. At age 12, she moved to South Africa with her parents and her younger brothers.

There, she began forging a career as a swimmer, taking home several awards at the 1997 South African championship, including the coveted title of best female swimmer.

Charlene went on to represent South Africa at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. As fate would have it, her future husband, Albert, was there as a spectator — though the pair wouldn't officially cross paths until she visited Monaco for a swimming competition later that year. They eventually married and later had twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.

However, marrying into a royal family came with certain lifestyle adjustments, including Charlene's sense of style.

From her days as an Olympic athlete to being one of the most recognized princesses around the world, here's a closer look at how Charlene's fashion has evolved.

In 2001, Charlene was still very much in her athletic era.

She was photographed in South Africa wearing a laid-back look that consisted of gray sweatpants, a navy-blue windbreaker, and Nike sneakers.

Later that year, she maintained her sporty style on the front cover of South African Sports Illustrated.

For the photo shoot, Charlene wore a sporty red tank top, white flared jeans, and a sailor hat. In keeping with the easygoing, nautical aesthetic of the shoot, she opted to go barefoot.

Charlene and Albert made their first public appearance as a couple at a 2006 F1 Monaco Grand Prix party.

For the big night, she wore a black floor-length gown that was elegant and a world away from Charlene's previous ensembles.

It featured a sweetheart neckline and a long skirt with a lace-lined slit that reached her knees.

She paired the gown with silver drop earrings and a matching clutch.

Charlene brushed shoulders with fashion heavyweights like Karl Lagerfeld at the 2007 Monaco Red Cross ball — but she went on to regret her look.

For her first appearance at Monaco's annual Red Cross Ball, Charlene wore a sparkly, semi-sheer, backless ball gown that she borrowed from a friend, she told Tatler in 2010.

Reflecting on the look, Charlene wasn't exactly fond of her choice. "I looked like a Christmas tree," she said.

"I was used to living in a swimsuit and totally clueless about fashion. The day of the ball, I had been playing volleyball all day on the beach and didn't think about getting ready until late in the afternoon," Charlene added.

In a separate interview with Vogue before her 2011 wedding, Charlene remembered the outfit as one of her least favorites.

"Finding my fashion feet has certainly been the biggest challenge," she said. "I realize that my debut into Monaco society should have been better executed!"

Charlene ditched sparkly gowns for cargo shorts and a light-blue polo later that year.

She wore the casual ensemble during a visit to Richards Bay, South Africa, to teach swimming lessons to children.

Charlene opted for a more daring look at the 2007 closing ceremony of the Small European States Games.

For the event, she wore a black, strapless bustier top over asymmetric suit pants that featured a slit on the left leg. She accessorized with a sheer black scarf and a black clutch.

She tapped into the rock-and-roll theme of the 2009 Rose Ball with a bold hairdo and a black bejeweled gown.

Charlene's sleeveless dress featured a daring neckline and colorful jewels. A matching biker glove and a small black clutch completed the ensemble.

Albert and Charlene announced their engagement in June 2010.

For the official photographs that accompanied the big news, Charlene wore a colorful, floor-length dress.

The flowy blue-and-green gown was designed by Akris. It was backless and featured an elegant halter neck.

The official portraits also showed her sparkling engagement ring, which featured a three-carat, pear-cut diamond surrounded by smaller round jewels.

For the couple's civil marriage ceremony, Charlene collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld on her powder-blue ensemble, which perfectly complemented her eyes.

The ensemble, made of a blazer and palazzo pants, was both regal and reflective of Charlene's sporty aesthetic.

"It's feminine and keeps with tradition yet has a little twist that reflects my personal style," Charlene told Vogue. "I thought it was a nice change to go for trousers instead of a skirt, especially since I'm an athlete and have always kept my clothes clean and simple."

Later, for the grand religious ceremony, she dazzled in a custom-made Giorgio Armani gown that took 2,500 hours to make.

The designer told Vogue that the off-the-shoulder gown — which was made of Duchesse silk and silk organza — was covered in 40,000 Swarovski crystals, 30,000 gold stones, and 20,000 mother-of-pearl teardrops.

The look was completed with an intricate silk-tulle veil that took around 100 hours to embroider.

In 2012, the newlyweds made a dapper debut as a married couple on the Oscars red carpet.

For the occasion, Charlene wore a sleeveless, ivory Akris gown that was partially sheer at the top and featured a cutout at the back.

Channeling the regal image of her late mother-in-law, Grace Kelly, Charlene arrived at the 2013 Princess Grace Awards in a striking Ralph Lauren gown.

The sleeveless Ralph Lauren gown featured a ruffled halter neck and a small train. She paired it with a simple gold bracelet.

While distributing Christmas gifts to children in Monaco in 2015, Charlene stood out in a beige cape jacket.

The princess paired the unique jacket with a black turtleneck, black leggings, and leather knee-length boots.

Charlene arrived at the 2017 Red Cross Ball in a silver, sleeveless jumpsuit designed by Versace.

Charlene's shimmery, strapless pantsuit — which was designed by Versace — featured semi-sheer, palazzo-style pants.

She wore it with silver sandals, a metallic clutch, and diamond earrings.

She later attended Versace's Spring 2018 show in an asymmetric, chainmail minidress with several daring cutouts.

Charlene wore the bold dress with a black leather biker jacket and silver stilettos.

For the 2018 Princess Grace Awards Gala, Charlene ditched gowns and instead wore a black suit with suspenders.

She kept the top buttons of her white shirt open and wore her suit jacket casually over her shoulders.

She showed off a brand-new, half-shaved haircut at the 2020 Monaco Christmas gift distribution.

Charlene's hairstyle drew mixed reactions after the annual Christmas event in Monaco. Nevertheless, she told the French magazine Point de Vue that she didn't care for anyone else's opinion.

"This haircut was my decision," she said. "It seems that it has provoked all kinds of comments. But it turns out that I wanted it for a long time. The style pleases me. That's all."

In 2022, she returned to the F1 Monaco Grand Prix racetrack wearing a powder-blue jumpsuit.

The unique jumpsuit was designed by Terrence Bray. It featured a wide neckline, puffed bell sleeves, and pants so long they covered her feet.

She later put another unique spin on regal attire at a ceremony honoring Monaco National Day.

Charlene's eye-catching white coat was designed by one of her go-to brands, Akris.

The princess paired it with a black turtleneck, leather gloves, and a wide-brimmed hat made by British hatmaker Stephen Jones.

For the Monaco National Day gala in 2023, Charlene went for a dazzling ruby-red ensemble.

The festive dress was designed by DidierAngelo. Charlene coordinated the gown with her lipstick, jewelry, heels, and nail color, all in similar shades of scarlet red.

Red remained her color in 2024.

She attended a gala dinner at the F1 Monaco Grand Prix wearing a custom Louis Vuitton dress.

The vibrant red piece had a straight floor-length skirt, off-the-shoulder long sleeves, and a silver, sequined collar that extended from her shoulders to the gown's neckline.

She wore the outfit with a thick diamond bracelet and matching earrings.

She stunned in lace at the 2025 Rose Ball.

Her Dolce & Gabbana gown was truly unique with two distinct layers. It featured a strapless velvet gown beneath a layer of green lace.

The latter had a single puffed sleeve and a velvet belt that matched her dress.

Charlene completed the look with black pumps and emerald earrings.

Charlene looked chic at a religious ceremony in January.

She attended the 2026 Ceremony of the Sainte-Devote in a navy-blue look that comprised a thick winter coat, a matching scarf, leather gloves, pumps, and a headband.

She also carried a small purse and wore a gold brooch on the bodice of her jacket.

She returned to sparkling eveningwear in September when she attended the 20th Anniversary Gala for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

Charlene was photographed arriving at the event in a black Jenny Packham gown, one of Kate Middleton's favorite designers.

The elegant design featured a floor-length skirt, a strapless neckline, and a beaded mesh overlay that covered her shoulders and added short sleeves to the look.