- The alleged comments, revealed in Charles Spencer's memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, prompted Buckingham Palace to issue an extraordinary statement suggesting Diana's brother had misremembered events.
- Spencer said the call was one of two he had with Charles in his lifetime and claims he told his friends and family members at the time about the comments 'because it was so monstrous'.
- The comments by the then prince were allegedly made during a heated argument over funeral arrangements, specifically about whether Prince William and Prince Harry should walk in their mother’s funeral procession.
- Swan Song is due to be published worldwide next Tuesday in the UK by Penguin Michael Joseph, a division of Penguin Random House.
- Buckingham Palace did not issue a fresh statement responding to the BBC interview, but on Wednesday a spokesperson said: '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.'
- Spencer wrote that he was stunned by the alleged remark and took a few seconds to reply, writing: 'I can’t believe you just said that,' I said flatly, before hanging up.
Earl Spencer has reiterated his claim that King Charles made a shocking remark about Princess Diana shortly after her death, stating, "rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough." In a BBC interview with Laura Kuenssberg, Spencer maintained, "I can tell you here and now, those are exactly the words he said."26
The comments, which surfaced in Spencer's memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, prompted a response from Buckingham Palace. The Palace suggested that the pain of fraternal grief can distort 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."145
Spencer described the alleged call as one of only two he had with Charles, emphasizing that he shared the comments with friends and family at the time because they were so "monstrous." He recounted a heated argument over funeral arrangements, insisting that Diana would not have wanted her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, to walk in her funeral procession. However, Charles later insisted they should.3
Spencer expressed his disbelief at the alleged remark, recalling, "I can’t believe you just said that," before hanging up. Swan Song is set for worldwide release next Tuesday, with the UK edition published by Penguin Michael Joseph.
“Spencer says the call was one of two he had with Charles in his lifetime, and he told friends and family at the time 'because it was so monstrous'. The memoir, due out next Tuesday, alleges the argument was over whether Princes William and Harry should walk in Diana's funeral procession.”
The Guardian
