Prince Charles, now King Charles III, has faced renewed scrutiny following the publication of a memoir by his late former sister-in-law’s brother, Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, which includes explosive allegations about the royal’s conduct in the wake of Princess Diana’s death in August 1997. The memoir, *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister*, which is being serialised ahead of its release, depicts a contentious and emotionally charged aftermath to the tragedy, including a verbal confrontation between Spencer and the then-Prince of Wales over funeral arrangements.

Earl Spencer claims that shortly after Diana died in a car crash in Paris, Charles reacted with apparent elation, describing his phone call to Spencer as “giddily elated – like a lottery winner.” Spencer further alleges that during a heated phone exchange on whether Princes William, then 15, and Harry, then 12, should walk in their mother’s funeral procession, Charles “went nuts” and reportedly said, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.” The earl suggests that this remark represented pent-up contempt for Diana and frustration with the public’s mourning.

According to Spencer, Charles opposed his insistence that the princes should not be part of the funeral cortege in such a prominent way, and told Spencer that Diana was “going to be forgotten soon enough.” These claims are said to have intensified ongoing tensions between the royal family and the Spencer family, with Earl Spencer also revealing further personal insights into Diana’s troubled marriage, the alleged emotional distress she endured, and the dynamics leading to her divorce from Charles.

Buckingham Palace issued an unusual public response to the memoir’s allegations, emphasizing 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.” Palace aides described the claim about the “we will forget her soon enough” comment as “just not in his character” and highlighted King Charles’s long-standing insistence that Diana’s memory be treated with respect and not undermined. Julian Payne, former communications secretary to the King, noted that Charles was “absolutely emphatic” that staff avoid criticism or pushback on narratives about Diana.

Insiders have described the situation as deeply painful for the royal family, particularly for King Charles and Prince William, with the latter reportedly “deeply disappointed” and “furious” over the publication. The memoir has reportedly been kept from many palace officials and William, though Prince Harry is understood to have been aware of its preparation and discussed it with Earl Spencer during a visit to Althorp, the Spencer family estate and Diana’s resting place.

The book also touches on earlier aspects of Diana’s marriage, including Spencer’s assertion that Charles informed Diana before their wedding that he was “not actually in love” with her and his belief that Diana suffered from complex psychological struggles, including a possible diagnosis of ADHD. The memoir accuses palace officials of manipulating the funeral arrangements, suggesting that the inclusion of William and Harry walking behind the coffin was partly to shield Charles from potential public hostility.

The timing of the memoir’s release coincides with the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death and comes amid renewed tensions within the broader royal family, particularly regarding the roles of Princes William and Harry. Observers note that Earl Spencer’s close relationship with Harry and the latter’s recent return to the UK contribute to renewed public interest in Diana’s legacy and the royal family’s internal dynamics.

During the same period, King Charles maintained a busy public schedule, including addressing global leaders on the risks of artificial intelligence while Princes William and Catherine carried out community engagements in Scotland. Meanwhile, Prince Harry made his first public appearance since returning from the United States at an event related to his Invictus Games charity.

As the memoir unfolds, it is expected to continue to spark debate around the public memory of Princess Diana, the royal family’s handling of her death, and the evolving narrative of their relationships in the decades since the tragedy.