Prince William has walked in his father's steps for most of his life, now acting as the Prince of Wales, a title previously held by King Charles. The 42-year-old has recently decided to go his own way, at least in the legal department. After working with his father's lawyers for decades, Prince William has now hired the legal firm who represented his mother, the late Lady Diana, during her divorce.
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This information was revealed by Richard Eden, who wrote about it exclusively for the Daily Mail.
Prince William moves away from his father's lawyers
Prince William used to be represented by King Charles lawyer Gerrard Tyrrell, a partner at Harbottle & Lewis, which has represented the Royal family for decades. However, according to Eden he has decided to hire the firm Mishcon de Reya, which represented his late mother during her divorce from then Prince Charles. He wrote:
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.
The move is said to have disappointed Hartbottle & Lewis, especially since Gerrard Tyrrell is one of the King's most trusted advisers. It is said to be a significant decision for Prince William, as Mishcon's deputy chairman, Anthony Julius, acted on behalf of Lady Diana during her turbulent divorce.
After her tragic death, Anthony Julius continued to work alongside Prince William as one of the funding trustees of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. He acted as vice-president until the fund closed in 2012.
Mishcon de Reya not only represented the late Princess during her divorce, but the firm's founder Victor Mishcon also acted as her legal adviser. The firm became famous after it was revealed that Mishcon had held on to a note, explaining Lady Diana felt her life was in danger.
What was the Mishcon note?
The note was written during a meeting between Victor Mishcon and Lady Diana on 30 October 1995. During the meeting, the Princess reportedly told her legal adviser she had heard from a source that efforts were made to 'get rid of her' by April 1996. This reportedly included talks of a car accident that would either render her incapacitated, or end her life.
Lady Diana passed away in a tragic car accident on 30 August 1997, under the Alma Bridge in Paris, along with her lover Dodi Al-Fayed and their driver, Henri Paul, who is said to have been under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs.
Victor Mishcon gave the note to the Metropolitan Police right after the Princess' death, and it remained in a safe for another six years before it was finally given to the police in Paris. Lady Diana's siblings, as well as her children, did not know about the note for a decade after the accident.
Read more:
James Hewitt says Princess Diana would have 'tried her best' to reunite son William and Harry
Royal expert claims Lady Diana secretly admired Queen Camilla: 'Loyal and discreet'
Princess Diana's confessions about marriage to King Charles set to be released in new memoir
Sources used:
Daily Mail: EXCUSIVE Why Prince William has hired Diana's divorce lawyers. RICHARD EDEN reveals shock move that's talk of the palace
Independent: What is the Mishcon Note? How Princess Diana ‘predicted’ her Paris car crash two years before it happened
