In a candid interview with PEOPLE magazine, Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, has shared reflections and regrets regarding his late sister, Princess Diana, as he prepares for the upcoming 30th anniversary of her tragic death. Spencer’s new memoir, *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister*, revisits their upbringing and Diana’s tumultuous life in the public eye, revealing deep insights into their complex relationship.
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Spencer, 62, expressed his feelings of regret about not being more proactive in supporting Diana during her highly scrutinised public life. He remarked, “Could I have done more to help her with her public life? I probably could.” This sentiment underlines a period of introspection that Spencer has experienced nearly three decades after Diana’s passing at the age of 36 in August 1997.
While Spencer acknowledges that he did lend support to his sister in her later years — notably aiding her in a significant libel case against a British newspaper — he continues to ponder if he could have done even more to shield her from the relentless media attention she faced. He noted, “Towards the end of her life, I did help her a bit… I would fight some battles for her quietly.”
The interview marks one of Spencer’s most extensive discussions about Diana since her death. He chose the backdrop of Althorp, the family’s ancestral estate in Northamptonshire, as a setting to delve into their shared childhood experiences and the challenges Diana faced during her tumultuous marriage and subsequent divorce from Prince Charles.
Spencer took the opportunity to address a persistent criticism regarding his role in Diana’s life, specifically the assertion that he refused to provide her with housing after her divorce. “One of the things people are throwing at me totally wrongly is that I wouldn’t give her a home,” he clarified. Diana had expressed a desire to live in the Garden House, an area where their sister Jane had once raised her children. However, Spencer explained that safety concerns for Diana and her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, rendered this option unfeasible.
“The local police went around there with me, and they said they just couldn’t protect William and Harry,” Spencer recounted. As a result, Diana continued her residence at Kensington Palace until her untimely demise in 1997.
As the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death approaches, Spencer has felt compelled to share his narrative, including personal revelations and accounts that shed light on family dynamics during a profoundly tragic time. In his memoir, he recalls a confrontation with King Charles regarding the decision for William and Harry to walk in their mother’s funeral procession, as well as Charles’s response during the grief-stricken hours following Diana’s passing.
In response to Spencer’s revelations, a spokesperson for the palace issued a statement acknowledging the complexity of grief. “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,” the statement read.
Despite the deep sorrow stemming from Diana’s passing, Spencer continues to find solace in her memory. He shared, “If I have to really go into something, a meeting where something really important is being sorted out, I always wear cuff links she gave me in the late 80s as a sort of memorial.” This poignant recollection highlights how Diana’s influence and memory remain an integral part of his life, providing strength during challenging moments.
Spencer also recalled a recent family tragedy, where he expressed to his cousin’s parents that he wore Diana’s cuff links as a tribute. He remarked, “Diana’s memory gives comfort to people even now,” illustrating the enduring legacy Diana has left behind, both for her family and the millions who admired her.
As this significant anniversary draws closer, Charles Spencer’s revelations in *Swan Song* offer a reflective look at not only his relationship with his sister but also the challenges faced by those navigating life in the public eye. Through his memoir and interviews, he aims to honour Diana’s legacy while addressing misconceptions surrounding their bond, providing a deeper understanding of a cherished yet complicated familial relationship.