Charles Spencer claims royal tension after Diana's death in new memoir

Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, said his new memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, will present what he calls the definitive account of Princess Diana’s life and death. In an interview, Spencer described a phone call he says he received from King Charles shortly after Diana’s 1997 car crash, recalling the king saying, "We'll forget her soon enough," a comment Spencer described as delivered with a "hiss." He added that he questioned the remark at the time.

Spencer said the upcoming 30th anniversary of Diana’s death has generated renewed interest in her story, prompting him to write the book rather than contribute to other projects. He argued that many in the British establishment failed to understand Diana’s impact and that attempts were made to limit her influence, which he described as being carried out by "the men in gray suits" working for the royal family.

The memoir also touches on the royal family’s handling of Diana’s funeral, including the decision to have her sons walk behind her coffin, which Spencer said was intended to protect the king from public hostility. He suggested that the experience may still affect Prince Harry’s relationship with the family and the press.

Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying it does not comment on books as a matter of principle, but noted that "the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory" even many years after a loss. The book is scheduled for release on September 22 by Penguin Press.