Prince William has broken with royal tradition as the heir to the British throne instructed Princess Diana's lawyer to act on behalf of him and his family, according to new claims.
The reported move has been seen as significant split from King Charles, 76, as the Prince of Wales, 42, was previously represented by the King's lawyers, Harbottle & Lewis, in particular its partner, Gerrard Tyrrell.
Mishcon de Reya handled the late Princess Diana's divorce from Charles.
The move has disappointed Harbottle & Lewis, according to the Mail.
Prince William has broken with royal tradition as the heir to the British throne instructed Princess Diana's lawyer to act for him and his family, according to new claims
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A source told the publication: "William wanted to strike out on his own.
"He did not want to continue using his father’s lawyers.
"It’s as simple as that.
"He wants to be his own man."
Prince William was previously represented by the King's lawyers, Harbottle & Lewis, in particular its partner, Gerrard Tyrrell
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A friend of the family added: "William wants to do things differently from his father, and wants to be seen to do them differently."
William's previous firm has represented the Royal Family for decades.
Richard Eden for the Mail said that Buckingham Palace has seen William's decision as the latest example of his desire to follow a different path from that of his father.
He added: "William’s decision to branch out from his father’s legal advisers shows that he is more than willing to shake up the status quo behind palace doors as well."
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Prince William's previous firm has represented the Royal Family for decades
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Eden wrote that the Prince of Wales's split from the King was "made clear in 2023 when William chose to give a major interview to a national newspaper that was published the day after Trooping the Colour."
He added: "It meant that coverage of the King’s first birthday parade was overshadowed by his heir’s declaration that he planned to end homelessness."
Harbottle & Lewis acted on behalf of the Royal Family in 2006 in the News of the World royal phone-hacking scandal, which led to the closure of that newspaper.
GB News has reached out to Kensington Palace for a comment.
