Charles Spencer, brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, has published a memoir that has reignited debates over the royal family’s response to Diana’s death nearly 30 years ago. The book, titled *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister*, was released this week by Penguin and is available in multiple countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia, with translations in 12 languages.
In the 384-page memoir, Spencer recounts his perspective on Diana’s life, marriage, and the events surrounding her fatal 1997 car crash in Paris. The book includes several controversial claims about King Charles III, then Prince of Wales and Diana’s ex-husband. Spencer alleges that shortly after Diana’s death, Charles told him in a phone call: “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.” He also describes the king as “giddily elated, like a lottery winner” upon hearing the news. Further, Spencer asserts that Charles became enraged during discussions about funeral arrangements, particularly when Spencer objected to Diana’s sons, Princes William and Harry, walking behind her coffin.
The memoir also reveals that Diana contemplated suicide during her troubled marriage and details Spencer’s allegation that she felt “revulsion” toward Mohamed Al Fayed, the father of her partner Dodi Fayed, who died alongside her in the car crash. Spencer claims Diana accused Al Fayed of inappropriate behavior, including groping and making sexually suggestive comments.
Buckingham Palace issued a rare statement in response, emphasizing that “His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss.” King Charles did not directly deny Spencer's allegations but suggested memory might be affected by grief.
The memoir has drawn mixed reactions. Royal biographer Robert Hardman disputed Spencer’s depiction of Charles’s demeanor, describing the king as “distraught and in tears” at Diana’s funeral rather than elated. Andrew Morton, author of the 1992 book *Diana: Her True Story*, labeled the phone call claims “incendiary and disputed.” Meanwhile, royal commentator Jennie Bond characterized the memoir as “vindictive.”
Spencer, a journalist and historian who has written several nonfiction works, stated that his aim was to correct “untruths that have become accepted over time” and to “speak on Diana’s behalf.” He said he believes Diana “would be cheering from the rafters” at the book’s publication. The memoir also revisits Spencer's famous speech at Diana’s funeral, where he openly criticized the royal family and the media for their treatment of his sister.
Despite the high-profile nature of the revelations, the book’s commercial impact has been modest, debuting at 12th place on Amazon UK’s non-fiction bestseller list. Observers note that the memoir contributes to ongoing public fascination with Diana’s life and legacy, while also stirring renewed scrutiny of the royal family’s internal dynamics and responses during a tumultuous period.