Earl Charles Spencer, brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, has renewed a series of serious allegations against King Charles in connection with the royal family's handling of Diana’s death and funeral arrangements nearly three decades ago. These claims are brought forward in Spencer’s new memoir, *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister*, and have sparked a notable response from Buckingham Palace.
Spencer alleges that shortly after Diana's death in a 1997 car crash, the then-Prince Charles made a call in which he appeared "giddily elated," a characterization starkly at odds with public expectations of grief at the time. Most controversially, Spencer recounts a confrontation over whether Diana’s sons, Princes William and Harry, should follow her funeral procession. Spencer claims Charles reacted angrily, criticizing the Spencer family’s sense of duty and at one point saying: “We’ll forget her soon enough.”
The earl has defended the truthfulness of his account in a forthcoming BBC interview, insisting he is “telling the truth” despite Palace representatives suggesting that “the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason and colour memory.” Spencer has also described the King’s alleged remarks as “monstrous” and accused him of “gaslighting” over the denial or downplaying of these claims.
Reflecting on the funeral itself, Spencer expressed long-standing concern for Prince Harry, who was only 12 at the time, noting a “lack of obvious care” for the young prince during an emotionally fraught period. Spencer described Harry as appearing “tiny, and slight, and bereft,” underscoring his view that the boy was left to cope without the comfort he needed.
Despite the severity of the accusations, Spencer maintains he harbors no bitterness towards the King, describing himself as “not really in the business of resentment” but rather as an “eyewitness to history.” The memoir’s release has reignited discussions over the royal family’s private dynamics and the public’s understanding of the aftermath of Diana’s death, nearly 29 years ago.
Buckingham Palace’s official response has emphasized the difficulty of separating grief from memory and defended King Charles against the portrayal in Spencer’s account. A palace source conveyed that the King is “saddened that the sorrows of old are being dragged up again,” highlighting his recent focus on contemporary issues such as the global threat of artificial intelligence.
The timing of the publication and the persistent allegations have drawn criticism from some observers who question Spencer’s motivations, suggesting financial gain may be a factor. The earl is reportedly selling signed copies of his memoir at a premium price, despite previously asserting that he would not profit from Diana’s legacy.
The memoir and accompanying interviews have reignited public debate on the royal family’s private grief, the handling of Diana’s funeral, and the complex relationships between her surviving relatives. The King and his aides remain firm in their denial of Spencer’s most damaging allegations, underscoring the ongoing tensions between personal recollections and public interpretation of historic events.