Introduction
Earl Spencer, the younger brother of the late Princess Diana, has publicly defended claims about King Charles contained in his forthcoming memoir, insisting that his account of a private conversation following Diana’s death is accurate.
Speaking to the BBC in an interview with Laura Kuens, sbergSpencer rejected suggestions that his memory of the conversation could have been distorted by grief. He said he was “telling the truth” and insisted that the words he attributed to Charles were exactly what he remembered hearing.
The dispute centers on a telephone conversation Spencer says took place in the aftermath of Diana’s death in Paris in August 1997. According to excerpts from his forthcoming book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, the then-Prince of Wales allegedly became angry during a discussion about whether Princes William and Harry should walk behind their mother’s coffin at her funeral.
Spencer claims that Charles eventually said Diana would be forgotten “soon enough,” a statement Spencer says left him stunned.
Buckingham Palace has responded unusually directly to the claims, although it has not specifically confirmed or denied the alleged words. The Palace said the King was mindful that grief can affect judgment and memory, particularly many years after a traumatic event.
The disagreement has renewed public interest in Diana, her relationship with Charles, the events surrounding her funeral and the complicated history between the Spencer family and the Royal Family.
Who Is Earl Spencer?
Charles Spencer, known as the Earl Spencer, is Diana’s younger brother and the ninth Earl Spencer.
He became one of the most recognizable members of the Spencer family after Diana married the then-Prince Charles in 1981. His relationship with his sister has been a subject of public interest for decades, particularly because he played a prominent role in the events following her death.
Spencer delivered a widely watched eulogy at Diana’s funeral at Westminster Abbey in September 1997. His speech included criticism of the pressures surrounding Diana and became one of the defining public moments of the aftermath of her death.
Nearly three decades later, Spencer has decided to provide his own detailed account of his sister’s life and the days surrounding her death.
His new memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, is scheduled for international publication in September 2026. The book is being published ahead of the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death.
What Is Swan Song: Diana, My Sister About?
Spencer has described the memoir as an attempt to tell Diana’s story from his perspective.
According to the book’s publisher, Spencer wants readers to understand Diana beyond the headlines and public image that surrounded her during her lifetime.
He has described his sister as a complex person with charisma, love and self-doubt and says he wants to present an account based on his own memories.
The memoir is significant because Spencer was one of the people closest to Diana throughout her life. It therefore offers a family perspective on events that have already been discussed extensively in biographies, documentaries and television interviews.
However, personal memoirs are also inherently based on an individual’s recollections. That is particularly relevant when the events being described occurred almost 30 years ago.
The Claim About King Charles
The most controversial claim to emerge from the book concerns an alleged conversation between Spencer and Charles shortly after Diana’s death.
Spencer says the discussion occurred in the tense period leading up to Diana’s funeral.
According to his account, there was disagreement about whether William and Harry should walk behind their mother’s coffin during the funeral procession.
Spencer recalls initially objecting to the idea, saying he did not believe the young princes should take part in such a public and emotionally difficult procession.
He says the disagreement led to a telephone call from Charles.
Spencer’s account says the conversation became heated, with the then-Prince of Wales allegedly criticizing the Spencer family’s sense of duty.
He then claims Charles made the remark that Diana would be forgotten soon enough.
Spencer says he was shocked by what he heard and eventually ended the conversation.
These are Spencer’s recollections as presented in his memoir and subsequent interview; they should not be treated as independently established facts. Buckingham Palace has not endorsed his version of events.
Earl Spencer Says He Remembers the Conversation Clearly
In his BBC interview, Spencer strongly rejected the suggestion that the passage of time could have changed his memory of the conversation.
He explained that he had spoken to Charles on only a small number of occasions and therefore paid close attention to what was being said.
Spencer said he remembered the alleged words with particular clarity because of the emotional circumstances.
He also argued that he had discussed the conversation with family members and friends at the time because he found it so shocking.
That point is important to Spencer’s defense of the memoir. He is not presenting the account simply as a newly recovered memory from almost three decades ago. He says he remembered the incident immediately and spoke about it to people close to him.
Nevertheless, the Palace’s response indicates that it does not accept the account as an objective record of the conversation.
Buckingham Palace Responds
Buckingham Palace generally avoids commenting on books about members of the Royal Family.
In this case, however, the Palace issued a statement after the allegations were published.
The statement did not directly say that Spencer’s account was false. Instead, it emphasized the possible effects of grief on memory and judgment.
The Palace said King Charles was conscious that intense grief can influence the way people remember and interpret events, particularly many years later.
That wording has attracted considerable attention because it represents an unusual response to a claim contained in a memoir.
It also leaves the central question unresolved: what exactly was said during the private telephone conversation?
Spencer says he remembers the words precisely.
The Palace’s response points to the possibility that the recollection may not accurately represent what occurred.
There is currently no publicly available recording of the alleged conversation that would independently settle the dispute.
Why the Funeral Became Such a Sensitive Issue
Diana’s funeral was one of the most watched royal events of the modern era.
Millions of people around the world watched the procession and service following her death.
At the center of the public attention were her two sons, William and Harry.
William was 15 years old and Harry was 12 when their mother died.
The decision for the young princes to walk behind Diana’s coffin became one of the most discussed aspects of the funeral.
Years later, Harry has spoken about the emotional difficulty of participating in the procession.
The issue remains particularly sensitive because Diana’s funeral occurred during an extraordinary period of public grief.
For Spencer, the question was not simply ceremonial. His memoir presents it as a matter involving the welfare of two grieving children.
Diana’s Death Changed the Royal Family Forever
Princess Diana died on August 31, 1997, after a car crash in Paris.
She was 36 years old.
Her death produced an extraordinary international reaction and generated intense scrutiny of the Royal Family.
At the time, Charles and Diana had already divorced following years of marital difficulties and intense media attention.
The couple had married in 1981 and separated in 1992 before their divorce was finalized in 1996.
Diana remained enormously popular with the public after the separation.
Her death therefore created a complicated situation for the Royal Family, which had to respond to both a personal tragedy and an unprecedented public reaction.
The events of that week would influence perceptions of the monarchy for years.
Spencer’s Long Relationship With Diana’s Public Legacy
Spencer has repeatedly defended his sister’s reputation.
His 1997 funeral speech became particularly famous because it portrayed Diana as someone who had faced enormous pressures while maintaining a strong connection with ordinary people.
Nearly 30 years later, his memoir continues that effort.
Spencer has said that he wants to correct what he considers inaccurate accounts of Diana’s life.
When announcing the book, he said he had become frustrated with opinions about his sister that he believed were based on untruths that had gradually become accepted.
He said his objective was to tell the story from his own perspective and speak on Diana’s behalf.
A Memoir Based on Personal Perspective
One of the most important points for readers is that Swan Song is a personal memoir.
That means it offers Spencer’s interpretation of events rather than a neutral historical investigation.
Personal memories can be valuable because they provide details unavailable in official records.
At the same time, memories of traumatic events can be complicated, particularly when many years have passed.
This is why the disagreement between Spencer and the Palace remains unresolved.
Spencer has expressed complete confidence in his recollection.
The Palace has emphasized the possibility that grief can influence memory.
Neither side has publicly produced evidence that definitively settles every detail of the alleged conversation.
The “We’ll Forget Her” Claim
The phrase attributed to Charles has become the central focus of the controversy.
Spencer says it was spoken during an emotionally charged discussion about Diana and her funeral.
He interpreted the statement as deeply insensitive and says it contributed to his negative reaction during the conversation.
The significance of the claim extends beyond the words themselves because of the timing.
Diana had only recently died, and public grief was exceptionally intense.
Any suggestion that she would quickly be forgotten would naturally have carried particular emotional weight for her family.
However, the meaning and context of any private conversation can be difficult to establish without independent evidence.
The allegation therefore remains a disputed recollection rather than a verified historical fact.
Another Claim About Charles’s Reaction
Spencer’s memoir contains another controversial description of Charles’s reaction when he called after Diana’s death.
According to published excerpts, Spencer says Charles sounded unusually upbeat during the conversation.
He compares the impression he received to someone who had unexpectedly received very good news.
Spencer says this struck him because other people who contacted him appeared devastated by Diana’s death.
He later speculated about what Charles might have been thinking at the time.
That speculation is separate from the direct account of what was allegedly said during the later disagreement.
It is therefore important to distinguish between Spencer’s description of Charles’s tone, his interpretation of that tone and independently established facts.
The History Between Charles and Diana
The controversy cannot be separated from the complicated history of Charles and Diana’s marriage.
Their 1981 wedding was watched by millions and was presented as a major royal occasion.
However, the marriage eventually came under severe strain.
Both Charles and Diana later discussed difficulties within the relationship.
Their separation in 1992 was followed by years of intense media coverage.
The couple officially divorced in 1996.
Diana continued to perform charitable work and remained an internationally recognized public figure until her death the following year.
The difficult history of the marriage forms an important backdrop to Spencer’s interpretation of events.
The Long Shadow of the Royal Marriage
The breakdown of Charles and Diana’s marriage became one of the defining stories of the British monarchy during the late 20th century.
Their relationship was examined through newspapers, television interviews and books.
Diana herself became increasingly open about the difficulties she experienced.
The famous 1995 BBC Panorama interview intensified public discussion about the marriage.
Decades later, the details of that interview and the circumstances in which it was obtained continue to be debated.
Spencer’s new memoir adds another family perspective to a story that has already generated a vast historical record.
Why the Book Is Being Published Now
The timing of Swan Song is significant.
2027 will mark 30 years since Diana’s death.
Interest in her life remains strong, particularly among people who remember her and younger generations who know her mainly through documentaries, photographs and historical accounts.
Spencer has said that repeated requests for interviews about Diana contributed to his decision to finally write his memories down.
Rather than repeatedly responding to questions, he wanted to create a single account of his relationship with his sister.
The book is therefore being presented as both a personal memoir and a contribution to the continuing historical discussion surrounding Diana.
Prince William and Prince Harry’s Connection to the Story
The book also discusses William and Harry, who were children when Diana died.
The decision to have them participate in their mother’s funeral procession has remained a sensitive subject.
Harry has previously reflected publicly on the experience of walking behind his mother’s coffin.
Spencer’s memoir revisits the circumstances surrounding that decision and describes his own concerns at the time.
Because William and Harry have their own memories and experiences of their mother’s death, Spencer’s account represents one perspective among several.
Their experiences also demonstrate why the events of 1997 continue to have relevance for the Royal Family today.
Why Public Interest in Diana Remains Strong
Diana remains one of the most recognizable members of the British Royal Family.
Her charitable work, fashion influence, personal struggles and relationship with the monarchy have all contributed to her enduring public profile.
She also became a major cultural figure whose life has been explored in books, films, documentaries and television dramas.
Every new memoir or documentary can therefore generate significant public interest.
Spencer’s book is particularly notable because it comes directly from Diana’s brother.
His close relationship with her gives him access to personal memories, although those memories are still shaped by his own perspective.
The Importance of Distinguishing Memory From Evidence
The current controversy provides a broader lesson about historical reporting.
A personal recollection can be important without automatically being an independently verified fact.
Spencer says he remembers the conversation clearly.
The Palace has questioned the reliability of recollections shaped by grief.
Without a recording or independent witness to the alleged conversation, readers cannot independently verify every word attributed to Charles.
Responsible coverage therefore requires presenting both the claim and the response.
That distinction is particularly important when reporting on private conversations involving public figures.
What Happens Next?
Swan Song: Diana, My Sister is expected to receive significant attention when it is published.
Further excerpts may generate additional discussion about Diana’s relationship with Charles, the Royal Family and the events surrounding her death.
The BBC interview with Laura Kuenssberg is also expected to bring wider attention to Spencer’s account. The full interview is scheduled to air on BBC One and become available on BBC iPlayer on September 20, 2026.
The Palace’s position may also continue to be examined as more material from the memoir becomes public.
Whether additional evidence emerges remains to be seen.
Final Thoughts
Earl Spencer’s decision to defend his claims about King Charles has reopened one of the most enduring chapters in the modern history of the British Royal Family.
Spencer insists that his recollection of a private telephone conversation after Diana’s death is accurate. He says he clearly remembers Charles allegedly saying that Diana would be forgotten soon enough and maintains that he discussed the incident with people close to him at the time.
Buckingham Palace has responded by emphasizing the potential effects of grief on memory and judgment, without directly confirming or denying the specific words Spencer attributes to Charles.
The disagreement illustrates why events from nearly three decades ago can remain difficult to interpret.
Diana’s death was an extraordinary personal and national tragedy. Her family members experienced that period from very different positions, and their memories naturally reflect those experiences.
Spencer’s Swan Song will provide his detailed perspective on Diana and the final period of her life. Readers will ultimately have to distinguish between documented historical facts, Spencer’s personal recollections and the Palace’s response.
What is certain is that Diana’s legacy remains a subject of enormous public interest. As the 30th anniversary of her death approaches, new accounts such as Spencer’s memoir are likely to keep conversations about her life, her marriage and the Royal Family firmly in the public eye.