Earl Spencer has claimed that King Charles 'hissed' five harsh words to him after the death of Princess Diana, and accused him of 'gaslighting' in response to the allegation.
Last week, the earl said Charles told him on a phone call after his sister's death: "We’ll forget her soon enough." Now, in an interview with ABC news, Spencer has detailed how the statement was made, declaring the King "didn’t say it, he hissed it."
'He hissed it'
The author of Swan Song: Diana, My Sister told the outlet: "I’ll never forget the five words ‘We’ll forget her soon enough’ — and he didn’t say it, he hissed it."
Following the release of this quote from the book, Buckingham Palace hit back at the claim, suggesting Spencer's memory was 'clouded'.
"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," it said.
'Gaslit by a King'
The princess's brother has slammed Charles for 'gaslighting' him with this response. He told ABC: "It’s not everyday you’re gaslit by a King. I was really upset by that because I thought it was not only condescending but not straight.
"What I said was straight and true and what did they come back with? That."
In the interview, the earl added: "I didn’t hold back but, and this is not a threat, I could have gone an awful lot further. So, everything I say in the book is absolutely essential to the narrative and the understanding of the subject. People have asked me if I’m bitter, angry or not, I’m really not, I’m not."
Spencer continued: "It’s not tittle-tattle. I’m not trying to damage the monarchy or whatever I’ve been accused of doing. I wanted to do this properly once and for all for Diana and remind those who knew her when she was alive, why they connected with her."
The Express has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
