Spencer’s ‘Swan Song’ Sparks Legal and Royal Backlash Over Diana’s Legacy

Key points

• Charles Spencer’s memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, was published on September 22, 2026, nearly 30 years after Princess Diana’s death.
• The book alleges that King Charles III sounded 'giddily elated' upon learning of Diana’s death and told Spencer, 'we’ll forget her soon enough.'
• Spencer claims Charles told Diana he was not in love with her before their wedding and criticized her weight, contributing to her eating disorder.
• Piers Morgan has sued Spencer and his publishers over 'demonstrable lies,' specifically regarding Morgan’s role at the Daily Mirror.
• Buckingham Palace responded by stating that 'the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory.'
• The memoir details Spencer’s traumatic experience walking behind Diana’s casket at Westminster Abbey, which he described as 'mental torture.'

Background

The publication of Swan Song follows months of serialized excerpts in the Daily Mail, which previously sparked a row over claims that Charles was relieved by Diana’s death. Earlier coverage noted Spencer’s intent to counter royal narratives and his focus on the trauma surrounding Diana’s funeral and the tabloid press’s role in her death.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Times highlights the book’s emotional core, focusing on Spencer’s childhood memories of Diana as a 'warrior' and his grief-stricken eulogy. The Washington Post emphasizes the memoir’s 'scathing' tone, describing Charles as a 'bellowing buffoon' and noting the book’s omissions regarding Princes William and Harry. The Conversation frames the book as a 'score-settling' exercise, noting that while it defends Diana, it also reveals Spencer’s own grievances and trauma. All outlets agree that the memoir has triggered a significant backlash, including a lawsuit from Piers Morgan and a formal rebuttal from the Palace.

Why it matters

The memoir reignites the 30-year-old debate over Princess Diana’s treatment by the royal family and the press. It forces a public reckoning with the personal dynamics of the 1990s royal marriage and the aftermath of her death, challenging the official narrative and exposing deep-seated resentments within the Spencer family.

What to watch

The legal battle between Piers Morgan and Charles Spencer is expected to proceed, with Spencer having apologized for the factual error regarding Morgan’s job title but standing by other claims. The royal family is likely to maintain its silence on the book’s contents, as per its principle of not commenting on publications, while the public debate over Diana’s legacy continues.