Charles Spencer Reveals a ‘Myth’ About His Sister, Princess Diana, That He Is Finally ‘Laying to Rest’ (Exclusive)

**9th Earl Spencer Reflects on Happy Childhood with Diana in New Memoir**

Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, has opened up about his recollections of growing up with his sister, the late Princess Diana. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, he discussed the memories captured in his new memoir, *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister*, aiming to clarify misconceptions about Diana’s early years.

Spencer’s insights come nearly three decades after the tragic death of Diana, and he is keen to challenge the narrative that has painted her childhood in a less than favourable light. Speaking from Althorp, the Spencer family estate where he now resides, Spencer insists that he and Diana shared a joyful upbringing. “The childhood I remember us sharing was a really happy one,” he expressed during the interview, contrasting sharply with the often repeated notion of Diana’s unhappiness as a child.

Diana’s early life was marked by challenges, particularly following her parents’ separation. John Spencer and Frances Shand Kydd divorced when Diana was only seven years old, after which Frances left the family home. While acknowledging the impact of their mother’s departure, Spencer highlighted that their father provided a loving and supportive environment. “Of course, there was the blight of my mother leaving home, but my father was a really caring father and made the house really joyful,” he noted.

In his memoir, which is set to be released on 22nd September, Spencer delves deeper into their family dynamics and the love shared among the siblings. Along with Diana, there were four other children: two older sisters, Lady Sarah and Lady Jane, and their younger brother, Charles. He also recalled their nanny, Sally, who remembered Diana as a delightfully happy child, further bolstering his recollections.

Despite the fond memories, Spencer recognised that his sister may have faced internal struggles that were not visible to those around her. “So maybe there was stuff going on inside that was more personal than she was processing, but at the time I think we seemed very happy,” he reflected, acknowledging that the complexities of emotional well-being are often layered and difficult to understand.

The Spencer siblings were raised in Park House, a rented property near Queen Elizabeth’s Sandringham estate, before relocating to Althorp Estate in the mid-1970s. Althorp is now somewhat of a shrine to Diana, containing her grave on an island in the centre of the estate’s picturesque Round Oval lake.

In addition to his memories of childhood, Spencer’s memoir also explores various provocative revelations about Diana’s later life and familial relationships. He recounts a conversation with Charles, now King Charles III, in the hours following Diana’s death, describing the king as sounding “giddily elated.” He also narrates a heated discussion he had with Charles regarding the decision of Prince William and Prince Harry to walk behind their mother’s coffin during her funeral, arguing that it was a profound moment for the young princes.

Spencer’s assertions have drawn attention, prompting a rare rebuttal from Buckingham Palace. The statement underscored the complexities of grief and memory, stating, “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.”

Reflecting on his lost sister, the Earl shared a poignant wish to relive moments spent laughing together. “We had the same sense of humour, quite sort of, not dark, but quite edgy humour,” he reminisced, expressing his longing for those joyous times. “I would love to laugh with her again. That would be good,” he concluded, capturing both the warmth of their bond and the bittersweet nature of remembrance.

In *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister*, Charles Spencer not only aims to shed light on the happier chapters of Diana’s life but also seeks to redefine her legacy by presenting a more intimate perspective of their family history. As readers prepare for the memoir’s launch, Spencer’s reflections serve as a reminder of the complexities of family and the lasting impact of childhood experiences.