Spencer Memoir Claims Charles Reacted with 'Giddy Elation' to Diana's Death

Key points

• Earl Spencer claims in his book 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister' that King Charles sounded like a 'lottery winner' when calling him after Diana’s death in August 1997.
• The memoir alleges Charles informed Princes William and Harry of their mother’s death first thing in the morning at Balmoral.
• Buckingham Palace rejected the claims, stating that 'fraternal grief can cloud reason' and affect memory, while refusing to comment on the book as a matter of principle.
• Prince Harry’s representatives declined to comment on the new allegations, and the book is scheduled for release next week.
• The memoir also includes claims that Charles told Diana he was not in love with her before their 1981 wedding and that Diana suffered from ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria.

Background

This dispute follows earlier excerpts from the same memoir, published in September 2026, which alleged Charles said 'we'll forget her soon enough' after Diana’s death. Those claims prompted a strong rebuttal from the Palace and a 'war of words' between the royal family and the Spencer side. The current controversy occurs as the King and Princes William and Harry attend public engagements, with the row threatening to overshadow their schedules.

How outlets are covering it

BBC and CNN both report the core allegation that Charles sounded 'giddily elated' or like a 'lottery winner' after Diana’s death, based on Earl Spencer’s memoir. Both outlets note the Palace’s rejection of the claims, citing the distorting effect of grief on memory. However, the BBC provides additional context from the memoir, including claims about Charles’s lack of love for Diana before their wedding and Diana’s potential ADHD diagnosis, while CNN’s content is largely obscured by technical code, offering no additional substantive perspective beyond the headline.

Why it matters

The allegations strike at the heart of the royal family’s public image and the long-standing tensions between the Spencer and Windsor branches. If the public accepts the memoir’s narrative, it could further erode trust in the monarchy and reignite debates over the treatment of Princess Diana in the 1990s. The Palace’s refusal to engage directly, while dismissing the claims as unreliable, may be seen as evasive by critics, potentially amplifying the memoir’s impact.

What to watch

The full release of 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister' is expected next week, which will likely trigger a new wave of public and media scrutiny. Buckingham Palace may issue further statements if the book contains additional damaging claims, while Prince Harry and other royals may be pressured to respond. The public’s reaction to the memoir will determine whether the allegations gain traction or are dismissed as unreliable.