Earl Spencer Recounts Incident Where Princess Anne Allegedly Made Him Feel Small

Earl Spencer has described an alleged incident where he felt patronized by Princess Anne during a dinner at Buckingham Palace two days before his sister Princess Diana's wedding to Prince Charles.

Spencer, who was 17 at the time, recounts in his new book, "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister," that he was seated next to the Princess Royal on July 27, 1981. He attempted to initiate a conversation by asking about the christening of her daughter, Zara Phillips, which had taken place earlier that day at Windsor Castle.

According to Spencer, he expected a positive response but instead received what he described as a "withering" look from Princess Anne, who allegedly asked, "Tell me, how's a christening supposed to go?"

Spencer stated he was taken aback and "turned red and looked at my plate, unable to conjure up a reply," feeling unprepared for such small talk given his age and inexperience.

He contrasted this with his brother-in-law, Neil McCorquodale, who was seated next to the Crown Princess of Japan and engaged in an easy conversation about rice cultivation. Spencer wrote that the evening's seating arrangement determined whether one was placed next to a royal who "was happy to make you feel small, or one who had the grace and manners to look for common ground."

The claim about Princess Anne is the latest in a series of revelations from Spencer's book, which has reportedly led to a dispute with Buckingham Palace. The book also includes allegations about King Charles, such as a comment made after Diana's death suggesting she would be forgotten. In response to earlier claims, Buckingham Palace issued a statement noting that grief can affect judgment and memory.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the specific allegation concerning Princess Anne when contacted by the Daily Mail.

Princess Anne and Princess Margaret are pictured on July 29, 1981, after the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.