Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer and brother of the late Princess Diana, has condemned a statement from Buckingham Palace as “astonishingly provocative and below the belt.” This response from the palace follows allegations made by Spencer in his upcoming memoir, *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister*, where he recounts a contentious conversation with King Charles after Diana’s tragic death in 1997.
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Spencer has voiced concerns that the palace’s recent remarks imply that he may be misremembering events due to grief. He described this as a form of “gaslighting,” asserting that it diminishes the validity of his personal experiences surrounding the loss of his sister. “It is not every day you wake up to find you’ve been gaslit by the King,” he remarked to the *Mail on Sunday*, expressing frustration that the palace insinuated he was being dishonest without outright denying his account.
The memoir, set to be released on 22 September, has already drawn significant attention following the initial excerpts published by the *Daily Mail*. In these previews, Spencer reveals a phone call in which Charles allegedly claimed, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough!” This remark has sparked outrage from many who view it as insensitive, particularly in the context of Diana’s untimely passing.
In light of this controversy, a palace representative issued a rare statement highlighting that “the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory.” While typically the palace refrains from commenting on books, this response indicates the seriousness of the claims made by Spencer.
Spencer appeared on BBC television just days later to reaffirm his claims. When challenged by host Laura Kuenssberg about the palace’s response, he insisted that his recollections were accurate. “I’m telling the truth,” he declared, emphasising that he has vivid memories of the conversation and would not waver from his account. He added, “I promise that to you now. Genuinely, that is what he said. I don’t hear him saying he didn’t say that.”
The Earl has expressed that his motivation for writing *Swan Song* is to convey an honest depiction of his sister’s life and the struggles she faced in the public eye. He has made it clear that financial gain is not at the forefront of his decision to publish the memoir. “Money has never even been the remotest consideration in my choosing to write my tribute to Diana,” he said.
The memoir is particularly significant as it marks the first time Spencer has chosen to speak extensively about Diana. This decision to publish has been influenced by a surge of media requests following the approaching 30th anniversary of Diana’s death next year. Spencer claims to have the utmost reverence for his sister’s legacy and wishes to clarify many “myths” that he believes have arisen surrounding her life and death.
Among the revelations in *Swan Song* are illuminating details about the royal family’s dynamics during a tumultuous period. Spencer recalls feeling that Charles was reveling in a sense of relief after Diana’s death, a portrayal that starkly contrasts with the public persona of grief generally associated with royalty. Additionally, he discusses the intense emotions surrounding the decision of Prince William and Prince Harry to walk behind their mother’s coffin during her funeral, as well as incendiary claims regarding Diana’s marriage to Charles.
As Spencer continues to navigate the reaction to his memoir, he describes the writing process itself as cathartic. He shared his thoughts on social media after recording the audiobook, calling *Swan Song* the “most personal” book he has ever created. “At heart, this is a brother’s simple tribute to an extraordinary sister,” he reflected, suggesting that his candid memories will resonate with those familiar with Diana’s life story.
As the publication date approaches, it remains to be seen how the palace will respond to incoming reactions from the public and the media. With the royal family facing growing scrutiny, Charles Spencer’s memoir is sure to further complicate an already intricate legacy tied to one of Britain’s most beloved figures.