Is Prince William Getting a Divorce?

William of Wales 2008. Photo by Maximus0970 under CC BY_SA 3.0.

Prince William just shook up royal tradition — and it's not about fashion, charity work, or public speeches. This time, it's about lawyers. In a decision that caught insiders off guard, the Prince of Wales hired the same law firm that represented his late mother, Princess Diana, during her explosive divorce from King Charles (then Prince Charles) in the 1990s. The move is more than a legal switch — it's a message. So, why would the future king make such a provocative legal pivot? And what does it say about the House of Windsor today?

'Do Things Differently': A Deliberate Break From the King

For decades, the royal family's go-to law firm has been Harbottle & Lewis, with high-profile attorney Gerrard Tyrrell acting as a legal shield through countless scandals — from divorce settlements to the notorious phone-hacking saga involving Prince William and Prince Harry.

But now, Prince William is charting his own course. His new legal team? Mishcon de Reya — the same firm that stood by Princess Diana in the bitter court battle that finalized her divorce in 1996.

According to multiple reports, William's decision wasn't spurred by scandal or legal trouble. Instead, it's part of a broader shift — one that signals his intent to modernize the monarchy and make decisions independently of his father.

"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," a source close to the royal circle told PEOPLE via The Daily Mail. Another anonymous source reported by PEOPLE said, "William wants to do things differently from his father and wants to be seen to do them differently."

The Diana Connection: Not Sentimental

Sources stress this is not a signal of marital discord between William and Kate. Instead, it reflects a strategic step toward independence as the prince prepares for a larger role on the global stage.

In fact, William's marriage to Princess Kate appears solid — they've been publicly united through a tumultuous past year marked by health concerns. Yet the optics of hiring Diana's divorce lawyers are undeniably striking.

Diana's divorce team famously secured her residence at Kensington Palace, the right to entertain in state apartments, and a reported lump-sum settlement of $22.5 million. Their legacy looms large — and for some, William's move stirs memories of the royal family's most public fracture.

Royal Shakeup or Simple Rebrand?

Some insiders suggest this is a power play aimed at realigning the monarchy with modern values. Others view it as a quiet assertion of autonomy — a way for William to distance himself from the old guard that has long influenced palace decisions.

Whatever the motive, the switch has reportedly caused some chatter in the legal world.

It's not the first time William has hinted at a different vision for royalty. In a 2024 interview with the BBC, he said, "I can only describe what I'm trying to do, and that's I'm trying to do it differently and I'm trying to do it for my generation. And to give you more an understanding around it, I'm doing it with maybe a smaller 'R' in the royal, if you like, that's maybe a better way of saying it."

As Prince William moves closer to the throne, this legal pivot may be the latest example of how he plans to wear the crown — on his own terms.

References: Prince William Hires Princess Diana's Lawyers in Surprising Break from King Charles | Prince William Just Hired Princess Diana’s Divorce Lawyers—But It's Not for the Reason You Think | Prince William Has Hired Princess Diana's Divorce Lawyers. Here's Why | Prince William Has Hired Princess Diana‘s Divorce Lawyers, Shocking the Palace | 'Smaller R in royal' - Prince William wants to do things differently