Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, is releasing a new book titled "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister," which contains accounts of the royal family’s private reactions following the death of his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales. In an interview, Spencer detailed a conversation he claims to have had with the then-Prince Charles shortly after Diana’s death in 1997, alleging that Charles said, "We'll forget her soon enough." Spencer described the comment as being delivered with a "hiss."
The book arrives ahead of the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death in 2027. Spencer stated he wrote the account to provide a "definitive story" after being frequently asked to participate in other documentaries and books. He also addressed the tensions within the royal household during Diana’s life, describing an establishment that he claims tried to suppress her and felt "jealousy" over her public popularity compared to that of her husband.
Buckingham Palace issued a statement in response to the claims, noting that while they do not typically comment on books, "the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise." Spencer also recounted his belief that he was "lied to" regarding the decision to have Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, walk behind her coffin during the funeral procession. He stated he was told at the time that the boys wanted to do it, but he now believes the arrangement was intended to protect Charles from potential public insults.
Spencer also reflected on the current public difficulties involving Prince Harry, questioning if a "more understanding treatment" of Harry’s grief at a young age might have led to a "happier course ahead." He further speculated that Charles may have sounded "upbeat" during a phone call following Diana's death because the then-prince may have felt free to pursue his relationship with Camilla, now the Queen.
The scale of this impact involves a global audience that has followed the royal family for decades, as well as the immediate members of the royal household. While the source does not provide specific dollar amounts or numbers of people affected beyond the central family members, the release of the book on September 22 through major retailers ensures these claims will be accessible to a mass market.
The knock-on effects include a potential strain on the relationship between Spencer and his nephews, Prince William and Prince Harry, as well as the setting of a precedent for how the palace handles memoir-based allegations. By attributing Spencer’s claims to "clouded" memory, the palace has established a defensive strategy for future biographical releases. The next steps include the book's official publication on September 22 and the lead-up to the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana's death in 2027.