King Charles and Prince William Reportedly Furious Over Prince Diana's Brother's Memoir
Charles Spencer's book "Swan Song" alleges King Charles III made callous remarks following Diana's death and argues with him over the funeral procession.
King Charles III and Prince William are reportedly furious over Charles Spencer's new memoir, "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister," which makes explosive claims about the late Princess Diana and the royal family's reaction to her death.
Royal experts told Fox News Digital that Spencer's book, released Tuesday, has reopened old wounds and caused significant distress within the royal households. Spencer alleges that shortly after Diana died in a 1997 car crash, King Charles sounded "giddily elated — like a lottery winner" and later argued with Spencer over plans for William and Prince Harry, then 15 and 12, to walk behind their mother's coffin. Spencer also claims Charles hissed, "Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough."
"What I am hearing concerning the reaction around both households is frustration and anger, but for slightly different reasons," said Kinsey Schofield, host of YouTube's "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered." "For the king, I think there is genuine anger at what amounts to an attack on his character almost 30 years after Diana's death."
Schofield added that for Prince William, there is an added sense of betrayal, viewing his uncle's actions as a reopening of childhood trauma. "William now has to watch that same uncle reopen some of the most traumatic events of his childhood and hear extremely damaging allegations against his father," she said. "The monarchy Charles Spencer is attacking is the institution William will inherit."
Buckingham Palace issued a rare statement following excerpts of the book's publication, stating, "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." A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace told Fox News Digital that they had no further comment.
Spencer has maintained the truthfulness of his accounts. Other commentators offer different perspectives on King Charles' state of mind at the time of Diana's death. Author Christopher Andersen, who wrote "The Day Diana Died," stated that sources described Charles as "devastated" and "crushed" upon learning of Diana's death, weeping openly and letting out a "howl that sounded like a wounded animal."
Andersen suggested that Spencer's alleged recollections might have been of "a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown" during a period of immense personal and public pressure for Charles.
Despite the differing accounts, royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that Prince William is "absolutely furious" and that Spencer is being accused of "monetizing his sister’s memory."
British broadcaster Helena Chard noted that while the palace is "rattled, but they're not panicking," the focus remains on continuing royal duties. "Sources say King Charles is saddened, yet angry, and sort of feels like a lamb to the slaughter facing never-ending character assassination. For Prince William, the pain cuts slightly deeper. It's trauma stirred anew. Palace aides say his focus is on public work and protecting the family."
Spencer's book is being translated into 12 languages and is being rolled out globally.