Earl Spencer has sparked renewed controversy with the release of his new book, "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister," which includes critical allegations about King Charles III’s behavior towards his late sister, Princess Diana. The publication, which has drawn significant media attention, portrays the King—formerly Prince Charles—as having expressed callous remarks about Diana following her death in 1997 and making disparaging comments about his valet and inheritance.
The book alleges that Charles conveyed a disturbing sense of relief upon hearing of Diana’s passing, reportedly telling Earl Spencer, "Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough," before Spencer says he abruptly ended the call. Additional claims include descriptions of the King behaving petulantly and harboring unconventional affections, though these details have been challenged by royal supporters.
The Palace has dismissed these accusations as unfounded, while some of the King’s allies have condemned Earl Spencer, labeling him as self-serving and motivated by personal gain. In response, Spencer has accused the Palace of attempting to "gaslight" him, asserting that his sensitivity to criticism stems from a diagnosable condition—rejection sensitive dysphoria, a form of ADHD—which he discusses openly in his book.
The controversy has unfolded amid broader royal tensions, including previous disputes involving Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Notably, Earl Spencer hosted the couple at his family estate, Althorp in Northamptonshire, earlier this summer. Observers have speculated whether the meetings involved strategic discussions regarding media portrayal of the royal family, although no definitive information has been confirmed.
Media coverage of Spencer’s revelations has included high-profile interviews, such as those aired on CBS’s Sunday Morning show and the BBC’s "Princess Diana: My Sister’s Story." The latter was notably framed in a style reminiscent of past investigative programs, highlighting the dramatic nature of the allegations. The resulting public discourse has led to intense debate over the impact on the monarchy and its future.
A close aide to Prince William has reportedly described the fallout from the book as provoking "multigenerational fury," underscoring the broader implications for the crown. While Earl Spencer has not called for the King’s abdication, some have interpreted parts of his narrative as an intentional attempt to cause reputational damage at a sensitive time, as King Charles recently returned to hospital for scheduled cancer treatment.
Critics have also highlighted an apparent contradiction in Spencer’s position, pointing to a 1998 documentary in which he condemned profiting from Diana’s death—a charge that contrasts with the timing and nature of his current book. Despite this, Spencer defends his work as a pursuit of truth, amid what he perceives as ongoing efforts by the Palace to undermine him.
As the story develops, it remains unclear what long-term effects these accusations will have on the monarchy’s public standing and internal dynamics. The episode adds to a series of high-profile controversies that continue to challenge the British royal family’s relationship with the media and the public.