Earl Spencer tells BBC Harry and Meghan's media treatment echoes what happened to Diana

Diana's brother says Harry and Meghan face 'cancerous' press like his sister

Earl Spencer has told the BBC the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's treatment at the hands of the media has "echoes" of what happened to his sister Diana, Princess of Wales.

The Sussexes, who recently returned to the UK from California six years after stepping back from royal duties, have been repeatedly critical of the media.

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Speaking to Laura Kuenssberg at his Althorp estate, Earl Spencer was asked if he believed Diana would "identify" with the scrutiny the Duke and Duchess of Sussex face.

"And I think it would be really beholden on people to learn from Diana's example.

He said he saw Diana's "tears of despair" when describing the impact of media coverage on her, adding she was "very, very sensitive to criticism".

He also said he thought there was a media perception that he was "on Harry's side" but insisted: "I'm on my deceased sister's sons' side, both of them and if either of them wanted anything, then I'd be equally there for them."

In the eulogy he delivered at her funeral, Earl Spencer accused the media of being on a "permanent quest...to bring her down" and said newspapers had been threatened by her "genuine goodness".

Princess Diana: My Sister's Story. The full interview with Laura Kuenssberg will be on BBC iPlayer on Sunday from 16:00 BST and on BBC One at 18:30 BST

His comments about the Sussexes come just weeks after the pair returned to the UK.