Earl Spencer has reaffirmed his claim that King Charles made a controversial remark about Princess Diana shortly after her death, intensifying a very public dispute within the royal family. In excerpts from his forthcoming memoir, *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister*, serialised recently, Spencer alleges that days following Diana’s passing in 1997, Charles told him: “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.” The comment reportedly occurred during a heated argument over the funeral arrangements of his sister.

Spencer, Diana’s younger brother, has said he immediately shared the remark with friends and family members, describing the comment as “monstrous.” Speaking in a recent broadcast interview, Spencer insisted he was “telling the truth” and stood by his recollection, stating, “those are exactly the words he said.” He challenged the Palace’s earlier suggestion that his memory might be clouded by grief, asking rhetorically if Charles was “furious or embarrassed” by the allegations.

Buckingham Palace had responded to the initial publication by warning that “the pain of fraternal grief” can affect memory, but it has not issued any new statement following Spencer’s recent comments. The Palace has not confirmed or denied the specific claim about the alleged statement by Charles.

Spencer’s memoir details other aspects of Princess Diana’s final days and family dynamics. He writes that Diana confided to a friend before her wedding that Charles was not truly in love with her, despite agreeing to the marriage. In the memoir, Spencer also describes the day of Diana’s funeral, characterizing Charles as “polite and formal,” and recounts advice given by Prince Philip to focus ahead during the procession, rather than on the crowd.

A significant point of contention in the book is Spencer’s account of his efforts to prevent Diana’s sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, then 15 and 12, from walking behind their mother’s coffin—a decision William later described as extremely difficult. Spencer states that he was initially told by a senior aide to Queen Elizabeth II that the boys would be part of the procession and resisted the notion, only to receive a phone call from Charles insisting they should participate. According to Spencer, it was during the ensuing argument that Charles made the disputed remark.

Spencer’s memoir is set for worldwide release next week and is poised to reignite public discussion over the relationship between Diana and Charles, as well as the family’s handling of her death and legacy. The ongoing dispute highlights differing perspectives on memories and the complex emotions surrounding one of the most high-profile deaths in recent British history.