Spencer Memoir 'Swan Song' Sparks Royal Fury and Palace Rebuke

Key points

• Charles Spencer’s memoir 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister' was published on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026.
• Spencer alleges King Charles III sounded 'giddily elated' after Diana’s death and told him, 'Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough.'
• Buckingham Palace issued a rare statement, suggesting 'fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and color memory.'
• Royal experts say King Charles and Prince William are furious, with William viewing the book as a betrayal of a promise made at Diana’s 1997 funeral.
• Spencer says he wrote the book to tell the truth 'once and for all' and has stood by his account to the BBC.
• The book is being translated into 12 languages and has sparked debate over whether reopening 30-year-old wounds is justified.

Background

This story follows a series of earlier reports from our archive (Sept. 17-18, 2026) in which Buckingham Palace publicly disputed Spencer’s claims, saying grief can cloud judgment and memory. The palace had already rejected the assertion that Charles felt elated after Diana’s death and denied allegations of a berating phone call about funeral arrangements. The current coverage reflects the full publication of the book and the subsequent reactions from royal experts and the palace.

How outlets are covering it

Fox News emphasizes the anger of King Charles and Prince William, with experts describing the book as a 'betrayal' of a promise made at Diana’s funeral. The Guardian’s satirical digest highlights the book’s controversial tone and Spencer’s self-aggrandizing narrative, while also noting the palace’s pushback. The Financial Times (behind a paywall) frames the book as a 'vengeful biography,' suggesting a critical view of Spencer’s motives. The Associated Press, cited by Fox News, notes that some critics question why Spencer felt the need to revisit the pain and trauma nearly 30 years later. Author Christopher Andersen, also cited by Fox News, contrasts Spencer’s claims with his own interviews from 1997, where sources described Charles as 'devastated' and 'crushed' by Diana’s death.

Why it matters

The memoir has reopened a decades-old wound within the royal family, challenging the public narrative of King Charles III’s grief and potentially affecting the monarchy’s public image. The rare palace statement and the reported fury of Prince William, the future king, signal that the book has struck a nerve at the highest levels of the institution. The controversy also raises questions about the ethics of publishing private, disputed claims from 30 years ago, especially when they involve the children of the deceased.

What to watch

The book is now out in 12 languages, and Spencer has stood by his account. The palace has indicated it will 'plow on with the job,' suggesting a strategy of letting the book have a few weeks of publicity before moving on. Queen Camilla is reportedly trying to 'lower the temperature' behind palace doors. The 30th anniversary of Diana’s death is approaching, which may further amplify the controversy.