Earl Spencer has claimed the late Queen Elizabeth II offered to posthumously reinstate Princess Diana's 'Her Royal Highness' title on the day of her funeral in 1997. In his new book on Diana's life, the late princess's younger brother says he declined the Queen's 'very kind' gesture, feeling it was a 'consolation prize', reports the Daily Mail.
Offer made on the Royal train
Diana lost the 'HRH' title in 1996, when she and King Charles divorced after 15 years of marriage, and was instead styled 'Diana, Princess of Wales'. Earl Spencer recalled being told of the offer by the Queen's private secretary, Robert Fellowes, as they travelled via Royal train to the Spencers' estate of 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 replied: "That's very kind of the Queen, of course. But what's the point, Robert? Now? I mean – Diana's dead."
Palace responds to earlier claims
It is the latest claim from the 62-year-old Earl about Diana's relationship with the Royal family. Earlier this week, Buckingham Palace issued a rare statement in response to claims made about the King. Earl Spencer claimed Charles said 'rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough' after Diana's sudden death in a Paris car crash in August 1997.
The Palace's statement released on Wednesday (September 16) said in response: "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 claimed Charles was like a 'lottery winner' when he learned of his ex-wife's passing, and said both Diana and Charles had their doubts about tying the knot ahead of their lavish July 1981 ceremony. The Mirror has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment on the latest claim.
