Prince Harry ‘gifted Prince Louis an £8k book inspired by Diana’ – but it’s ‘unlikely he’ll have read it yet’
PRINCE Harry took his uncle duties seriously when Prince Louis was born and gifted him a very lavish £8,000 christening gift – but it’s unlikely the royal prince has used it yet.
The Duke of Sussex bought the young royal a first edition copy of Winnie-The-Pooh – and it had very poignant ties to his mother, Princess Diana.
A friend said: “One of Harry’s happiest childhood memories was being read a bedtime story by his mother.
“She loved all the old classics and Harry had the brilliant idea of starting a little library of first editions for Louis, Charlotte and George to enjoy as they get older.
“He originally wanted to get Lewis Carroll’s Through The Looking Glass, which was on sale for £24,000, but decided Winnie-The-Pooh would be more suitable for a first tome.
“Robinson Crusoe was William’s favourite book, but Harry loved all things A.A. Milne.”
The Duke of Sussex is understood to have bought the 1926 AA Milne book — of which 30,000 were printed in the first run — from Peter Harrington in London.
Royal expert Phil Dampier told Fabulous that it’s unlikely cheeky Prince Louis, who is now aged five, will be left to his own devices with the prized fiction book.
He said: “It was lovely of Harry to give this precious book to Louis but I expect he has also got a cheaper version so he can read it properly.
“William and Kate wouldn’t want him thumbing his way through the expensive copy and ruining it by damaging some pages.
“It will only increase in value so they would want to keep it in good condition as a family heirloom.”
The royal author added that Prince Harry has a close bond with his niece and nephews, and will “regret” time lost not being close to them growing up.
He added: “It just highlights how tragic it is that the royal cousins are on different sides of the Atlantic and not having a relationship.
“And that Archie and Lilibet are not being seen by the royal family, and Harry and Meghan aren’t seeing Louis George and Charlotte.
“I’m sure that is a matter of deep regret for Harry and he would like to have a relationship with them, whatever his problems with the grown ups.
“He has always loved kids and he must feel he is missing out on family occasions big time.
“I’m told he has also given some lovely presents over the years to George and Charlotte but I’m not sure what they are.
“He keeps in contact with all the children and they will miss not having him as an uncle.”
Prince Harry now lives in California with Meghan, and their kids Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, after the couple stepped back as senior royals in 2020.