Charles Spencer is releasing a new memoir about his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales, almost 30 years after her death. The Earl confirmed on Tuesday that the forthcoming book, titled Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, is scheduled for release in September.
Setting the Record Straight
In a statement, Charles said: "With the 30th anniversary of Diana's tragic death on the skyline, I've been inundated yet again with requests for interviews about my sister. This has convinced me to write down my own thoughts and memories, once and for all, rather than having the discomfort of again reading the opinions of others, many of which are based on untruths that have become accepted over time."
He added: "The aim of this book is to tell the truth about Diana from her brother's perspective, just as I attempted to do when speaking at her funeral. As with my eulogy, I want to speak on Diana's behalf and do so in an openly positive way."
Criticism of The Crown
Charles has previously criticised Netflix's The Crown for its portrayal of Diana. Appearing on BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House in 2023, he said he did not watch the series, calling it "exhausting" and filled with "speculative" storylines.
In a 2020 interview with Alan Titchmarsh, the Earl revealed he had declined a request from The Crown to film at Althorp House. "The worry for me is that people see a programme like that and they forget that it is fiction. They assume, especially foreigners; I find Americans tell me they have watched The Crown as if they have taken a history lesson. Well, they haven't," he said.
Honouring Diana's Memory
Charles said of his sister: "I feel it is my duty to stand up for her when I can. She left me for instance as guardian of her sons… so I feel there was a trust passed on. And we grew up together, you know if you grow up with somebody they are still that person, it doesn't matter what happens to them later. So yeah, I feel very passionately that I have a role to honour her memory."
While Charles has spoken about Diana in various interviews, Swan Song marks the first time he has devoted an entire memoir to his late sister. The book is expected to document his life with Diana, as well as the "tragic week of her death."
