Queen Elizabeth II proposed restoring Princess Diana's 'Her Royal Highness' title on the day of her funeral, according to Earl Spencer, Diana's younger brother, who turned down the late Queen's 'very kind' offer, viewing it as a 'consolation prize'.
Offer made on Royal train journey
Diana lost the HRH title in 1996 following her divorce from King Charles after 15 years of marriage, and was subsequently referred to as 'Diana, Princess of Wales'. In a revealing new book about Diana's life, Earl Spencer recounts how the Queen's private secretary, Robert Fellowes, pulled him aside while they were travelling by Royal train to the Spencer family's ancestral home, Althorp in Northamptonshire.
He wrote: "When we had gone some miles, Robert beckoned me to follow him into a quiet corner of the carriage. I have just received a call from Her Majesty ... and she would like to offer Diana her HRH title back."
Earl Spencer's response
To which Earl Spencer responded: "That's very kind of the Queen, of course. But what's the point, Robert? Now? I mean - Diana's dead."
This is the latest claim from the 62-year-old Earl regarding Diana's relationship with the Royal family. Earlier this week, Buckingham Palace took the unusual step of issuing a statement in response to allegations made about the King.
Palace response to earlier allegations
Earl Spencer alleged that Charles said 'rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough' following Diana's unexpected death in a Paris car crash in August 1997. The Palace's statement issued on Wednesday (September 16) responded: "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."
Earl Spencer has also alleged Charles behaved like a 'lottery winner' upon discovering his former wife's death, claiming both Diana and Charles harboured reservations about proceeding with their marriage before their extravagant July 1981 wedding.
