Spencer Defends Diana Memoir, Accuses Palace of 'Gaslighting' Over 1981 Wedding Claims

Key points

• Charles Spencer appeared on CBS Mornings on Sept. 28, 2026, to discuss his new book, 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.'
• Spencer stated that Diana was 'genuinely in love' with then-Prince Charles, even after he allegedly told her the day before their 1981 wedding that he was not in love with her but would marry her 'anyway.'
• Spencer accused Buckingham Palace of 'gaslighting' him by suggesting his memory of a 1997 phone call with King Charles was clouded by grief.
• The book alleges that King Charles sounded 'giddily elated' hours after Princess Diana's death in 1997 and suggested he could now marry Camilla.
• Buckingham Palace issued a statement in September 2026, refusing to comment on the book but noting that 'the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgement and colour memory.'

Background

In late September 2026, Charles Spencer's memoir 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister' was released, reigniting a dispute with the royal family. Previous coverage noted that excerpts published by the Daily Mail in early September sparked a rare response from Buckingham Palace, which questioned the reliability of Spencer's memories regarding events following Princess Diana's 1997 death. The Palace specifically addressed claims that King Charles III expressed elation after his wife's death and a phone conversation regarding the funeral procession. Spencer had previously stated he did not inform family members, including Prince Harry, about the book's release until the last moment to avoid accusations of collusion.

How outlets are covering it

CBS News and Yahoo News UK highlight Spencer's defense of his credibility, with Spencer explicitly accusing the Palace of 'gaslighting' him to discredit his memories. Town & Country frames the situation as a public relations challenge for the royal family, noting the broader impact of the book. The sources agree on the core facts of the book's release and the Palace's response but differ in emphasis: CBS focuses on the interpersonal conflict and Spencer's insistence on his objectivity, while Town & Country analyzes the strategic implications for the monarchy. All sources confirm the Palace's statement that grief can affect memory, a point Spencer rejects as an attempt to undermine his account.

Why it matters

The release of 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister' marks a significant escalation in the public narrative surrounding the late Princess Diana and her relationship with King Charles III. By directly accusing the Palace of 'gaslighting' and presenting new claims about the 1981 wedding and 1997 funeral, Spencer challenges the official royal narrative. The rare public response from Buckingham Palace indicates the sensitivity of these claims to the current monarchy, potentially affecting public perception of King Charles III and the legacy of Princess Diana nearly 30 years after her death.

What to watch

The book is now available for purchase, and the public response to its claims will likely continue to shape media coverage of the royal family. Buckingham Palace has indicated it will not comment further on the book as a matter of principle, but the 'gaslighting' accusation may lead to further public scrutiny of the relationship between the Spencer family and the monarchy. Future coverage may focus on reactions from other family members, including Prince William and Prince Harry, who have spoken with Spencer since the book's release.