Earl Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, has made a series of accusations against King Charles in his new memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, released last week after being serialised in the media. In the first excerpt, the Earl recalled conversations with the then Prince Charles about funeral arrangements in the days after Diana's death.
Spencer said that after a heated argument with Charles, the King told him: “Don’t worry, we’ll forget her soon enough.” In response, the Palace issued a cryptic statement, an unprecedented move.
Palace Response and Further Claims
A spokesperson for Charles said: “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.”
Despite this, Spencer alleged in another excerpt that Charles sounded “giddily elated” and like a “lottery winner” when he called after Diana's death. The Earl also said he strongly opposed the idea of Princes William and Harry walking behind Diana's coffin, clashing with Charles over it.
Spencer Defends Memoir
Days before publication, Spencer told the BBC: “I can tell you here and now, those are exactly the words he said.” On Lorraine, he said he has “no regrets” about the book but insisted it is “not a hit piece against the King”. He added: “This is about Diana. It’s impossible to give the full story of Diana’s life without putting in context of certain things that were said.”
Burrell Defends the King
Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell defended the King, telling Piers Morgan the memoir is “more about Earl Spencer than it is about his sister Diana”. Burrell said the “rather spiteful revengeful point of view that he's penned” does not match what he witnessed, adding: “I was in Paris, I saw the king. He was a broken man. He was devastated.”
Burrell described Charles as having “bloodshot” eyes, pale and scared after leaving Diana's room, concluding: “I don't recognise what Earl Spencer says about Prince Charles.”
