King Charles and Earl Spencer in Public Dispute Over Princess Diana's Legacy
A war of words has erupted between King Charles and Princess Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, following claims in Spencer's new memoir that the King suggested Diana would be 'forgotten' shortly after her death.
A significant public dispute has emerged between King Charles and Earl Spencer, Princess Diana's brother, centered on allegations made in Spencer's forthcoming memoir, "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister." The core of the conflict stems from Earl Spencer's claim that King Charles, then Prince of Wales, stated that Diana would be "forgotten soon enough" in the days following her death in 1997.
Prince Harry was aware of his uncle's book and had discussed it with Earl Spencer during a summer visit to Althorp, Diana's ancestral home, with his wife Meghan. However, a source close to Prince Harry indicated that he had not yet read the memoir.
Buckingham Palace issued an unusually strong statement refuting the claim, suggesting that "grief can cloud reason, affect judgement and colour memory." Friends of the King have also asserted that such a remark is out of character and that he would not have used that language.
Earl Spencer alleges in his book that the controversial remark was made during a phone call with Prince Charles, shortly after a disagreement about the extent of Prince William and Prince Harry's participation in their mother's funeral procession. The Earl claims Prince Charles became angry and, after a pause, uttered the disputed words.
Royal aides suggested that the King was deeply upset by the allegations, especially given that the Palace had previously refrained from commenting on Prince Harry's memoir, "Spare." Experts have described the King as "incandescent" with anger over the claims.
Diana's death on August 31, 1997, at the age of 36, triggered a global outpouring of grief. Six days later, Earl Spencer delivered a eulogy at her funeral that is widely regarded as one of the most impactful speeches of the 20th century. He walked alongside Prince William, Prince Harry, King Charles, and Prince Philip in the funeral procession through London.
"Swan Song" is described as an effort by Earl Spencer to correct what he perceives as "untruths" about his sister. The memoir also reportedly touches on Diana's marriage to Charles and the aftermath of her death.
In addition to the dispute over the King's alleged remarks, the book is noted for its claims about disagreements between Charles and Earl Spencer regarding the funeral arrangements for Diana. The Earl recounts a heated exchange with Charles over the decision for William and Harry to walk in the procession, with Charles reportedly referencing his own experience walking in the funeral procession of his great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten.
Buckingham Palace's response to the allegations has been compared to Queen Elizabeth II's remark about "recollections may vary" in relation to Prince Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey. The Palace's statement emphasized the King's grief at the time and the potential for memory to be affected by such profound loss.
"Swan Song" is scheduled for worldwide publication next Tuesday. Reports have also emerged of the theft of four copies of the book from a parked lorry in the Netherlands, with police investigating the incident.
Amidst this controversy, members of the Royal Family are proceeding with scheduled engagements. King Charles is set to address a summit on artificial intelligence in Scotland. The Prince and Princess of Wales are undertaking their first official visit to the Isle of Bute, while Prince Harry is expected to attend the Invictus Spirit Awards ceremony in London. The Duchess of Edinburgh is visiting Zambia, and Princess Anne will attend the opening of a new History Centre in Staffordshire.