Earl Spencer has alleged in his new book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, that the now King Charles and Princess Diana were advised to draw up a contract early in their marriage. The claim appears in the memoir by Diana's younger brother, which reflects on her life, her marriage and the difficulties she faced after joining the Royal Family.
According to the earl, Diana told him that things between the newlyweds became "very difficult" shortly after their wedding, leading to talk of a temporary separation. Diana's brother reflected that "everything must have been so much harder for each of them" as they began their marriage under intense public pressure to present an image of perfection when the "reality could only be different." He said he felt "huge sympathy" for both of them, adding that the situation "must have been intolerable."
Contract and therapeutic support
The earl claimed experts were brought in to consider what therapeutic support could be offered to the newlyweds. The couple were also allegedly advised to "compose a contract," with both Charles and Diana encouraged to identify "areas" in which they might "surrender a little" to the other in order for the relationship to "survive."
Earl Spencer wrote in his book: "Diana told me there was even talk of a temporary separation, early on, and experts were summoned to see what therapeutic support could be given. The newlyweds were advised to compose a contract, with both spouses finding areas where they might surrender a little to the other, so the relationship could survive."
Concerns over Diana's behaviour
He added: "There was, at this time, concern at Diana having explosive outbursts when she was at her unhappiest. Palace witnesses to these spoke up for Prince Charles, as they would, and said that at times Diana struck them as troubled."
"When members of our family were questioned, they were adamant that Diana had never exhibited any such behaviour before the wedding."
The earl went on to say that the princess felt "painfully isolated" during the early stage of the marriage, having "periodical fallings out" with their mother at the time. He claimed she felt that their father, whom she had idolised as a child, was no longer someone to turn to, his stroke leaving him "severely weakened" and his marriage to Countess Raine Spencer making "everything more difficult."
Palace response and Diana's death
The earl has been dominating headlines following claims in the new book. In it, he claimed the now King Charles said about Diana, "we'll forget her soon enough" during an argument over whether Princes William and Harry should walk behind their mother's coffin in her funeral procession. The earl also alleged the King "sounded giddily elated – like a lottery winner" when he spoke to him on the phone after Diana's death.
In an "unprecedented" move, Buckingham Palace hit back at the claims. The Palace's statement reads: "While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss."
Princess Diana died in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma road tunnel in Paris, France, on August 31, 1997. Her funeral was held six days later at Westminster Abbey. Earl Spencer delivered the eulogy at her funeral. The funeral service drew an average UK television audience of around 32.1 million people, alongside an estimated 2.5 billion viewers worldwide.
Swan Song: Diana, My Sister by Charles Spencer is published by Penguin Michael Joseph and was released on September 22 in hardback at £28. The memoir is also available in ebook and audiobook.
