Prince William has enlisted the renowned law firm that once represented his late mother, Princess Diana, in what many see as a significant change in direction for the future king.
The London-based firm, Mishcon de Reya, is well-known for representing Diana during her challenging 1996 divorce from Prince Charles.
By choosing to work with the same firm, William marks a clear break from royal tradition, as he moves away from the legal team typically aligned with the Palace.
Until recently, the Prince of Wales, 43, had been represented by Harbottle & Lewis, the law firm long trusted by King Charles. One of its partners, Gerrard Tyrrell, had represented both father and son.
“William wanted to strike out on his own,” a source shared with 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.”
This move will surely be welcomed by Mishcon de Reya and its deputy chairman, Anthony Julius, who personally represented Diana during her divorce and later worked closely with Prince William through the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.
Julius was a founding trustee and eventually vice-president of the fund until its closure in 2012.
According to insiders, William’s decision is seen within Buckingham Palace as another indication of his desire to carve out 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 revealed.
Diana’s connection with Mishcon de Reya has long been a part of royal history, especially due to a controversial note reportedly written by Lord Mishcon after a private meeting with the Princess in 1995.
The so-called ‘Mishcon Note,’ which has resurfaced in recent years through documentary makers, highlighted concerns that Diana allegedly expressed about a supposed plot to harm her through a staged car crash.
The beloved Princess Diana tragically passed away in a car accident in Paris on 31 August 1997, along with her partner Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul.
A note, written two years earlier and said to have been given to then-Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Condon, was kept in a secure place for many years before resurfacing during investigations into the Princess’s death.
In 2022, Channel 4 UK aired Investigating Diana: Death in Paris, a four-part documentary that delved into the contents and context of the note, including Diana’s alleged fears and the events surrounding her tragic death.