Earl Spencer has made a series of claims in his upcoming memoir, Swan Song, and in a television interview with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, ahead of the book's release on Tuesday. The book, described as a no-holds-barred account of Princess Diana's life and death, has already drawn criticism of King Charles.
In the interview, which aired on Sunday night, Earl Spencer said he wanted to "put things down once and for all that were true." He said it was his "duty, as an eyewitness to history" to write down his memories.
Claims About Diana's Death and Funeral
Earl Spencer said he was in South Africa when he was told his sister had been in an accident. He received a call from his sister, Lady Jane Fellowes, who said Princess Diana had been in a crash but "it's not too serious." He then received "more and more distressing calls" from his sister.
"And then my sister Jane said, 'I'm afraid she's died.' It started... as a little prang, and then it became a broken leg, perhaps a head injury, and then death," he said.
He also claimed he had a row with the then Prince of Wales, Charles, over the boys' roles at the funeral. Prince Charles believed they should walk behind her casket, while Earl Spencer disagreed, thinking it was "not what Diana would have wanted."
Earl Spencer said Charles compared the situation to him walking behind Lord Mountbatten's coffin. The earl said the situations were not comparable as he was 30 at that time, and it "was not his mother." He claimed Charles "went ballistic and started really going for my family as a whole about their sense of duty not being adequate enough."
He said Charles then said: "We'll forget her soon enough." The earl said he was "stunned" and said: "I cannot believe you just said that," before hanging up.
Palace Response and Other Revelations
Buckingham Palace responded, saying the King was "mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgement and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss." When read the statement, Earl Spencer said: "Those are exactly the words he said."
Earl Spencer also said he was not a "salacious writer," but hinted he had been kind in the book. "This is not a threat, it's a fact, I know lots of things about the King which I chose not to include in the book because they were not relevant," he said.
He was asked why he included an account of a conversation in which his sister told him Prince Charles was in love with his valet, a claim he said was improbable. "It's in the context of a conversation where Diana is telling me that her marriage is over," he replied. "It's a brother's tribute, a loving tribute to a sister. And I think she deserves honesty so that's what I've delivered. That is what she told me."
Security Concerns and Monarchy Views
Earl Spencer said he believes Prince Harry and his family should be given official security now they are back in the UK. "From a security aspect, as an uncle who's seen his sister die in very, very preventable circumstances, I would veer towards protection," he said.
He said the tabloid treatment of Diana, and Harry and Meghan, could be "really, really unpleasant." "I personally worry about the fifth in line to the throne, who has served in the military, not having any police protection. As an uncle, I do worry about the security aspect," he added.
He said there is a "misconception in the media that he is on Harry's side," but he is on "my deceased sister's sons' side- both of them." He said he hopes the brothers' relationship is resolved, noting a mother would want her sons to be happy together.
Earl Spencer said he is "all for a monarchy, but I like a modern monarchy." He said: "You know, you mentioned the statement earlier, 'His Majesty says", I just don't think it's healthy for a human being to be seen in such archaic, servile terms." When asked if he supported this monarchy, he said: "I do."
