Prince Charles Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, has expressed hopes for a future reconciliation between his nephews, Prince William and Prince Harry, amidst ongoing tensions within the royal family. The 9th Earl Spencer shared his views during a recent interview with the BBC in relation to his upcoming memoir, *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister*, which is set for release on September 22.
During the interview, Spencer, who is 62, addressed the media’s portrayal of his position in the rift between William, 44, and Harry, 42. He stated, “I think there is a perception in the media that I am on Harry’s side. Well, I’m on my deceased sister’s sons’ side, both of them.” Spencer emphasised that he remains impartial and supportive of both brothers, asserting, “If either of them wanted anything, then I’d be equally there for them.”
The Earl elaborated on the complexities surrounding the sibling relationship, noting that there are various reasons contributing to their estrangement. He remarked, “There are a lot of reasons on both sides why William and Harry’s sibling relationship got to this stage. I hope one day it’s resolved.” However, he acknowledged that he lacks detailed knowledge about their falling out and feels it would be intrusive to delve deeper.
Princess Diana, who tragically passed away in a car crash in Paris in August 1997, was a mother to both princes when they were young: William was only 15 years old at the time while Harry was just 12. Recent reports suggest that the brothers currently maintain no direct communication and remain estranged, although Harry has indicated a desire to mend their relationship. Sources close to William and his wife, Kate Middleton, suggest that the hurtful events leading to their rift run deep, with one palace insider noting, “It was very hard on them, and I wouldn’t blame William for being cautious.”
Despite the tension between William and Harry, there have been some moves towards reconciliation between Harry and their father, King Charles III. In July, the monarch reunited with Harry, Meghan Markle, and their children during the Sussexes’ visit to the UK ahead of their intended relocation. Since their arrival back in the UK in August, there have been conversations between King Charles and Prince Harry, although they have not yet met in person.
Spencer’s memoir has ignited considerable interest, particularly due to early revelations about his late sister and the royal family. In excerpts that surfaced recently, Spencer claimed that King Charles expressed a sense of elation during a phone call shortly after Diana’s death, alongside other contentious comments regarding royal family dynamics. Following these revelations, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson stated that while it is not their policy to comment on published works, they acknowledge that grief can significantly skew perspectives on events even many years later.
In response to the palace’s statements, Spencer appeared to challenge their denial of his claims, stating, “But they haven’t actually, Laura. They’ve sort of smudged that one, haven’t they?” He reiterated the authenticity of his recollections regarding the remarks made by King Charles, insisting, “I promise that to you now. Genuinely, that is what he said.”
When queried about whether he possesses any evidence to support his claims, Spencer relayed that he shared his account with family and friends immediately after the call, expressing the severity of the situation. In his promotion of *Swan Song*, he described it as the “most personal” work he has produced, intended as a heartfelt tribute to his sister. “When I finished the recording, I thought: ‘That is exactly what I wanted and needed to say — and she would, I reckon, have approved of every word.’”
*Swan Song: Diana, My Sister* will be available for purchase from September 22, and it is poised to provide readers with an intimate insight into the life and legacy of Princess Diana as seen through the eyes of her brother. The upcoming release has already generated significant anticipation among royal watchers and readers alike.