In a startling revelation that sheds new light on one of history's most watched funerals, Earl Spencer has confessed he nearly delivered an entirely different eulogy for his sister, Princess Diana, during her 1997 funeral service.
The emotional disclosure comes decades after the world watched as the Princess of Wales was laid to rest, with millions forever remembering Spencer's powerful tribute that resonated across Westminster Abbey and beyond.
The Last-Minute Change of Heart
Earl Spencer experienced a dramatic change of heart just hours before he was due to speak, feeling compelled to completely rewrite the address he had carefully prepared. The original version, now lost to history, was set aside as Spencer felt a overwhelming sense of duty to his late sister.
"I felt a duty to change it," Spencer revealed, explaining the profound moment when he realised his initial words wouldn't sufficiently honour Diana's memory or protect her legacy from the establishment she often struggled against.
A Speech That Shook the Monarchy
The final version of Spencer's eulogy became one of the most memorable moments in royal history, containing thinly veiled criticism of the royal family and media while passionately defending his sister's character and parenting.
His words about Diana's "blood family" being competent to raise Princes William and Harry were seen as a direct challenge to palace protocols and expectations, creating tension within the very walls of Westminster Abbey where royal and Spencer family members sat just feet apart.
The Legacy of a Momentous Decision
Looking back, Spencer's decision to change his speech proved historic. The powerful tribute he ultimately delivered:
- Captured the global mood of grief and admiration for Diana
- Challenged royal traditions and media practices
- Ensured Diana's humanitarian work remained central to her legacy
- Protected her memory as a devoted mother above all else
The revelation adds another layer to our understanding of that emotional September day, showing how close the world came to hearing a very different tribute to the People's Princess.
