Earl Spencer accuses King Charles of callous remarks about Princess Diana in upcoming memoir

Earl Charles Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, claims his memoir "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister" will reveal that King Charles made dismissive remarks following Diana’s 1997 fatal car crash. Spencer alleges the monarch said the family would "forget her soon enough" and described his reaction as "giddily elated," likening it to a lottery winner. The book, scheduled for release on September 22, also asserts that palace officials forced Princes William and Harry to walk behind their mother’s coffin to shield Charles from public hostility.

Buckingham Palace responded with a statement saying it does not comment on unpublished books, but noted that "His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not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 palace emphasized that recollections may differ and that any concerns would be addressed privately.

Spencer, who says he wrote the memoir to challenge what he calls long-standing misconceptions about Diana, also recounts personal memories of the night he learned of her accident and describes conversations with family members about funeral arrangements. The allegations add to recent scrutiny of the royal family following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s memoir and media interviews.

"While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately," the palace statement read.

The memoir’s claims have sparked renewed debate over the royal family’s handling of Diana’s death and the public’s perception of the monarchy.