Buckingham Palace has responded to claims made by Charles Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, regarding a phone conversation he had with Prince Charles shortly after Diana’s tragic death in 1997. Spencer’s allegations have surfaced in his forthcoming book, “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,” which is set to be released on September 22, 2023.
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The Daily Mail published an excerpt from the memoir on September 16, where Spencer recounts an intense phone call with then-Prince Charles shortly after Diana’s passing. During this conversation, Spencer alleges that Charles expressed a strong disdain for the public’s adoration for Diana, reportedly stating, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough!” This revelation has sparked renewed scrutiny over the royal family’s sentiments regarding the late Princess.
In response to these claims, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace released a statement emphasising that King Charles is acutely aware of how grief can distort memory and perceptions. The spokesperson remarked, “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.” This rare commentary from the Palace underscores the sensitivity surrounding discussions about Princess Diana’s legacy.
The friction between Charles Spencer and Prince Charles is said to have emerged over the decision made by Prince William and Prince Harry to walk behind their mother’s coffin during her funeral procession. William, now 44, and Harry, now 42, described this choice in a 2017 BBC documentary as a collective family decision. Spencer’s memoir sheds light on how the royal family grappled with the impacts of Diana’s death, particularly concerning her two sons.
In his own memoir, “Spare,” Prince Harry elaborated on the emotional challenges associated with that day, describing how the decision upset several adults, including their mother’s brother, who reportedly was deeply concerned about the toll such a public display would take on the young boys. Harry noted that his uncle expressed strong opposition, labelling the decision as “barbaric.”
“Swan Song: Diana, My Sister” will be Spencer’s first substantial work where he speaks openly about his sister. He mentioned that the inspiration for writing this book came from the numerous requests he received for interviews marking the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death. In a press release, Spencer stated that he intends to portray an honest representation of Diana, much like he did during his heartfelt eulogy at her funeral.
As he recorded the audiobook, Spencer described the process as deeply personal, asserting that it served as a heartfelt tribute to his sister. On social media, he shared, “At heart, this is a brother’s simple tribute to an extraordinary sister.” He expressed satisfaction with the recording, believing it conveyed the sentiments he wished to express on behalf of Diana.
Complications have already marred the lead-up to the book’s release, as reports surfaced about the theft of four copies of “Swan Song” from a truck in the Netherlands. This incident occurred just days prior to the book’s launch, raising eyebrows due to its unusual nature. The truck was en route to a warehouse when the driver discovered the break-in after stopping overnight. Dutch police are currently investigating the theft, which has been described by publishing insiders as highly suspicious given the significant precautions taken to protect the manuscript.
One source noted the unprecedented nature of the theft concerning such an important publication, stating, “Nothing like this has ever happened before. This is probably the biggest book of the year, and the security surrounding it has been incredibly tight.” The source added that all measures were put in place to prevent any leaks before the official release.
With tensions rekindling over the royal family’s past and intriguing developments leading up to the memoir’s publication, the response from Buckingham Palace and the revelations within Spencer’s book promise to keep Princess Diana’s legacy at the forefront of public discourse in the weeks to come. As her brother seeks to shed light on her life, the dual narratives from both family members could potentially reshape perceptions of the late Princess within modern British history.