A new poll shared exclusively with Sky News has revealed that the allegations made by Earl Spencer in his memoir Swan Song have not affected King Charles's popularity, with more people disbelieving the accusations than believing them.
Sky presenter Laura Bundock presented the latest data from Delta Poll, which surveyed the public on their views about the book. She said: “The biggest allegations in Earl Spencer’s book haven’t affected the King’s popularity, according to a new poll shared exclusively with Sky News. When asked, more people didn’t believe the accusations than those who believed them. The results will no doubt be welcome news for the King.”
Public disbelief in key claims
Bundock detailed the specific findings: “When asked whether people thought the King sounded “giddily elated, like a lottery winner” after Diana’s death, 45% thought this was false, while 31% thought it true.”
“On the other big accusation, that the King “hissed at Earl Spencer, ‘We’ll forget her soon enough’, 41% didn’t believe this, compared with 37%.”
Other poll findings
The poll also asked about the decision for Prince William and Prince Harry to walk behind their mother's coffin, with 48% saying it was the best thing, while 27% thought it wasn't.
When asked about Earl Spencer's motivation for writing the book, over half – 53% – believed it was for money. On the King's overall performance, 62% thought he was doing a good job, which has remained fairly stable.
Bundock summarised: “This is, of course, just one poll, but with the war of words that erupted between the palace and Earl Spencer, the big question was whether this had been damaging to the King, but according to these results, his popularity has been pretty unaffected.”
