Buckingham Palace Denies Claims by Princess Diana's Brother About King Charles III
The Palace issued a rare strong statement responding to allegations in a new book by Earl Spencer, stating grief can "cloud reason, affect judgment and color memory."
Buckingham Palace has issued a forceful denial of claims made in a new book by Charles Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, who alleged that King Charles III suggested Diana would soon be forgotten after her death.
In his book, "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister," Spencer recounts the days following Diana's death in a 1997 Paris car crash. He claims he argued with the then-Prince Charles about plans for Prince William and Prince Harry, then 15 and 12 respectively, to walk behind their mother's coffin during the funeral procession.
According to Spencer, he told Charles that Diana would not have wanted her sons to endure such an ordeal. Spencer alleges the prince responded, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.” The book also accuses Charles of having "contempt" for his ex-wife and sounding “elated” after her death.
Buckingham Palace responded to the allegations, which were published in extracts by The Daily Mail newspaper, with a statement that departed from its usual policy of not commenting on books. The statement read, “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 color memory in ways others do not recognize, even many years after such a loss.”
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, described the Palace's wording as unusually strong and stark, indicating it was made with "a great deal of feeling."
Tensions between the Spencer family and the palace following Diana's death have been a recurring theme in public discourse and were notably depicted in the film "The Queen" and the television series "The Crown."
Many observers at the time felt the palace was slow to acknowledge the widespread public grief, which ultimately prompted a more emotionally responsive approach from the royal family. This shift is seen as part of Diana's legacy, influencing the modern public image of the monarchy, including that of Prince William, Prince Harry, and King Charles III.
Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer married in 1981 and divorced in 1996. Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, has previously been critical of the royal family's treatment of his sister.
At Diana's funeral in 1997, Earl Spencer delivered a eulogy that was widely interpreted as a critique of the royal family's handling of the situation and a promise to uphold his sister's legacy through her sons.