Charles Spencer, the brother of Princess Diana, recently shared insights about his highly anticipated memoir, “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,” in an exclusive interview conducted at Althorp, the family estate that also serves as Diana’s final resting place. The 9th Earl Spencer, now 62 years old, revealed that he kept his plans for the memoir largely under wraps, even from some of Diana’s closest family members, until later stages of the writing process.
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Spencer disclosed that he only informed his sisters, Lady Sarah and Lady Jane, about the book when he spoke to both them and Diana’s sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, at the same time. Remarkably, he noted that both William, aged 44, and Harry, 42, appeared to respond positively to the news, with Spencer stating, “Harry is completely fine about it.” He acknowledged that their initial concern was related to their portrayal within the memoir, as both princes hold a prominent public profile.
During the discussion, Spencer revealed the supportive dialogue he had with Harry regarding the content of the book. The Duke of Sussex, he recounted, expressed apprehension about the possibility of “anything embarrassing” being mentioned. Spencer reassured him that while both princes are indeed featured in the memoir, it is in a manner that highlights their childhood and their relationship with their mother rather than compromising their privacy.
Turning to his sisters, Spencer reflected on their feelings regarding the lack of prior consultation about the memoir. He candidly admitted, “I think they were hurt that I hadn’t told them.” He explained that his decision stemmed from a desire not to involve them in the writing process, as he aimed to provide an unfiltered and personal perspective on his sister. “This is very much a brother’s view,” he asserted, emphasising the personal nature of his reflections.
Spencer further elaborated on the potential concerns his sisters might have had regarding how he portrayed King Charles III, Diana’s former husband. He acknowledged that he refrained from including more contentious details that he could have shared. “If I wanted to write a scandalous book about Prince Charles… it would really be a jaw-dropper, but I’m not here to do that,” he stated, indicating his intention to focus on a more respectful representation of Diana’s life rather than delving into familial controversies.
The memoir, announced last month, is deemed as the first occasion where Spencer speaks openly and extensively about his sister. He cited the upcoming 30th anniversary of Diana’s death as a motivating factor, having faced numerous requests for interviews over the years. His goal with “Swan Song” is to provide a truthful narrative concerning Diana from a brother’s viewpoint, mirroring the heartfelt eulogy he delivered at her funeral.
In an Instagram post reflecting on the experience of recording the audiobook, Spencer described “Swan Song” as the “most personal” book he has ever authored. He emphasised that at its core, the memoir serves as a tribute to an extraordinary sister. He concluded with sentiments that he felt Diana would have appreciated the content, expressing, “That is exactly what I wanted and needed to say — and she would, I reckon, have approved of every word.”
The revealing conversation at Althorp not only shed light on Charles Spencer’s motivations for writing the memoir but also provided a glimpse into the dynamics within Diana’s family as they navigate the complex legacy of one of the most photographed individuals in history. As readers await the release of “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,” it evidently aims to honour Diana’s memory in a heartfelt manner while also offering personal reflections from those who knew her intimately.