Buckingham Palace Challenges Earl Spencer’s Memoir Claims Over Diana’s Death
Buckingham Palace issued a rare, pointed statement disputing claims in Earl Spencer’s upcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. The book alleges King Charles told Spencer, 'we’ll forget her soon enough,' after Diana’s 1997 death. The Palace countered that grief may have clouded Spencer’s memory, marking an unusual direct response to a royal family member’s publication.
Key points
- Earl Charles Spencer’s memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, is set for global release next week, with excerpts already published by the Daily Mail.
- The book claims King Charles, then Prince of Wales, angrily told Spencer, 'Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough,' during a dispute over whether Princes William and Harry should walk in Diana’s funeral procession.
- Buckingham Palace broke its usual silence on 'tell-all' books, stating that 'fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment, and color memory,' effectively disputing the accuracy of Spencer’s recollection.
- CNN reports additional excerpts suggest Charles sounded 'giddily elated' on the night of Diana’s death, while also alleging he called Diana 'chubby' after their engagement.
- Four copies of the Dutch edition were stolen from a truck in the Netherlands prior to the official release, as noted by the BBC and The Guardian.
Background
This dispute follows the 2026 announcement of Althorp’s year-end closure and precedes the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death. It echoes the 2021 'recollections may vary' response from the Palace regarding the Sussexes, as noted by the BBC.
How outlets are covering it
The Cut and The Guardian focus on the Palace’s direct rebuttal of the 'forget her soon enough' quote. CNN emphasizes the broader context of the book's 'explosive' nature, including claims about Charles's demeanor on the night of the crash and past insults. The BBC frames the event as a 'war of words' that threatens to overshadow other royal engagements, including Prince Harry’s return to the UK.
Why it matters
The Palace’s rare, specific response signals a significant escalation in the ongoing tension between the royal family and the Spencer branch, potentially reopening old wounds regarding Diana’s legacy and the funeral arrangements for her sons.
What to watch
The full release of Swan Song: Diana, My Sister is expected next week. The 30th anniversary of Diana’s death is approaching, which may lead to further public scrutiny of the royal family's historical conduct.
- King Charles Is Not Happy With Charles Spencer’s New Book The Cut
- Princess Diana’s brother claims Charles said she would be forgotten ‘soon enough’ just days after her death CNN
- Palace in war of words with Earl Spencer over claims in Diana book BBC
- King Charles Issues Rare Response on Charles Spencer’s Book Claim About Princess Diana People.com
- Earl Spencer’s memoir claims Prince Charles said of Diana: ‘We’ll forget her soon enough’ The Guardian
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