Prince William and Prince Harry Both Avoid Questions About Uncle Charles Spencer’s New Princess Diana Memoir

Prince William and his brother, Prince Harry, have both declined to comment on their uncle Charles Spencer’s newly released memoir, “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.” Their responses came during separate public engagements in London on the 21st and 22nd of September 2026, shortly after the book’s publication.

The first inquiry regarding the memoir was directed at Prince Harry, who attended the WellChild Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on 21 September. As he arrived, a journalist asked, “Have you spoken to your uncle in the last few days?” However, the Duke of Sussex chose not to respond to the question.

The following day, Prince William faced a similar situation while visiting the ActOne Cinema in Acton to celebrate the British film industry. As he entered the venue, a reporter asked, “So, how do you feel about your uncle’s book?” The Prince of Wales opted to remain silent and continued inside without addressing the inquiry.

Despite the lack of public comments from both brothers, their uncle Charles Spencer, who is the brother of the late Princess Diana, has stated that both William and Harry were informed about the memoir prior to its release. In an interview at Althorp, Spencer’s family estate where Diana is interred, he mentioned that he notified them simultaneously. “Harry is completely fine about it,” Spencer noted, which suggests a certain level of acceptance regarding the memoir from both princes.

Spencer elaborated on the unique challenges of discussing the memoir, noting that Harry’s primary concern was whether the book might contain anything “embarrassing.” He reassured his nephew that the content was respectful and focused more on the boys’ cherished memories of their exceptional mother rather than any invasive revelations.

However, both princes appear to be somewhat cautious regarding the portrayal of their father, King Charles. Spencer acknowledged that while he could have included more potentially scandalous details about the King, he chose not to do so, maintaining a respectful narrative of Diana’s life from his perspective. “I don’t want this to sound loaded,” he stated, “but there was an awful lot I could have put in and I didn’t.”

In a rare move, Buckingham Palace responded publicly to one of the memoir’s more contentious allegations. Spencer claimed that during discussions about Diana’s funeral arrangements in 1997, Prince Charles had made a remark suggesting that she would soon be forgotten. The Palace’s rebuttal highlighted the impact of grief on memory and perception, stating, “His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and color memory in ways others do not recognize, even many years after such a loss.”

Spencer has stood firmly by his account, reiterating his version of events in subsequent media appearances. He commented, “I can tell you here and now, those are exactly the words he said,” reinforcing his commitment to his narrative in the memoir.

“Swan Song: Diana, My Sister” represents a significant moment as it marks Spencer’s first extensive reflection on his late sister. Motivated by a flurry of media requests as the 30th anniversary of Diana’s passing approaches in 2027, Spencer expressed a desire to share a truthful depiction of Diana as her brother. He aimed to speak positively and genuinely about her life and legacy, mirroring sentiments expressed in his eulogy during her funeral.

With the memoir now in circulation, it remains to be seen whether the public and the royal family will engage further with the book’s contents, especially given the sensitive nature of its themes and the emotional weight it carries for those involved.