Charles Spencer, brother of the late Princess Diana, has issued an apology to broadcaster Piers Morgan for a factual mistake in his recently published memoir, *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister*. Despite the apology, Spencer remains steadfast in his account of a phone conversation he had with Morgan prior to the funeral of their shared relative in 1997.
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The memoir, which explores Spencer’s memories of Diana’s life and the aftermath of her tragic death, has been marred by controversy, especially concerning a particular phone call Spencer had with Morgan. During this conversation, Spencer indicated to Morgan that he would not be welcome at the funeral. Morgan has claimed that Spencer’s portrayal of their dialogue was inaccurate, stating he was respectful during their exchange.
The issue arose when Spencer erroneously identified Morgan as the editor of the *Daily Mirror* at the time that controversial photographs of Princess Diana were published by the Mirror Group in November 1993. In actuality, Morgan was working for *The Sun* at that time and would not join the *Daily Mirror* until 1995. Spencer has acknowledged this oversight and expressed his regret, stating, “As a historian, accuracy is important to Earl Spencer. He therefore wishes to clarify that his assumption was incorrect. Earl Spencer apologises to Mr Morgan for this error.”
While the memoir is set to release a corrected second edition that addresses this misattribution, Morgan has expressed his intention to pursue legal action against Spencer and the book’s publisher, Penguin, to ensure that the inaccuracies are rectified and to seek damages on behalf of the King’s Trust. Morgan remarked on social media that despite Spencer’s apology for “defamatory lies,” he remains intent on confronting the issue legally.
Morgan contested not only the factual error regarding his employment but also challenged Spencer’s interpretation of their telephone conversation. He asserted that he was neither “surly” nor “annoyed” but displayed a respectful disposition as documented in his personal diaries.
In a separate controversy, Spencer has encountered criticism from Buckingham Palace regarding claims made in his memoir about King Charles III. Spencer alleged that the King suggested Diana would be forgotten “soon enough” after her death. In a rare public statement, a spokesperson for the palace remarked, “While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, 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.”
In light of the palace’s response, Spencer has vigorously defended his recollections, maintaining that the words attributed to King Charles were indeed spoken. In a BBC interview, he stated, “I can tell you here and now, those are exactly the words he said.”
At a recent event at Althorp, the ancestral home of Charles and Diana, Spencer described his writing approach as that of both a historian and a brother. He noted, “Part of my duty, I am a historian, is to lay down facts, and that’s what I’m doing. There’s no viciousness. I’m not resentful or bitter or any of those things.” He stressed that while the book contains serious revelations, the central focus is always his sister.
Despite the surrounding discussions and controversies, Spencer insists that Diana’s legacy remains at the heart of his memoir. He sought to clarify that the narrative is ultimately about celebrating her life and understanding her impact rather than sensationalising the events surrounding her untimely death.
As this saga unfolds, both Spencer and Morgan appear poised for a prolonged confrontation, with legal action looming as they navigate the complexities of public perception and personal history. The fallout from Spencer’s memoir reflects the ongoing tension surrounding Diana’s legacy, and it continues to generate significant media attention and public interest.