King Charles III and Earl Spencer Clash Over Prince Charles's Alleged Remarks About Princess Diana

Buckingham Palace has issued an extraordinary statement refuting claims made by Earl Spencer, Princess Diana's brother, regarding a heated exchange with the then Prince Charles in the days following Diana's death in 1997. The Palace's response addresses allegations detailed in Earl Spencer's upcoming memoir, 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.'

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace stated, "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 judgement and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss." This remark has been widely compared to a previous statement by Queen Elizabeth II regarding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's claims in their interview with Oprah Winfrey, where she stated "recollections may vary."

Earl Spencer alleges in his memoir that then-Prince Charles made the incendiary comment "rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough" during a phone call shortly after Diana's death. The exchange reportedly occurred when Spencer clashed with Charles over the idea of Princes William and Harry walking in their mother's funeral procession. Spencer maintained that Diana would not have wanted her sons to endure such a public ordeal, telling the then heir to the throne, "That's not going to happen."

According to Spencer's account, Charles reacted angrily to this, questioning the Spencer family's sense of duty and referencing his own experience walking in Lord Mountbatten's funeral procession. Spencer claims Charles "went nuts" and delivered a "stream of anger" before making the alleged remark about Diana.

A source close to King Charles III described the alleged comment as "just not in his nature" and stated that he was deeply grief-stricken at the time. This source also pointed out that it was the then Prince of Wales who overruled royal protocol to ensure Diana received a full state-style ceremonial funeral.

Earl Spencer, 62, states he has written his memoir to correct what he considers to be "untruths" about his older sister. The book is set to be published next week. Ahead of its release, four copies of the memoir were reportedly stolen from a parked lorry in the Netherlands, an incident that is under investigation.

Diana died on August 31, 1997, at the age of 36, sparking a global outpouring of grief. Her funeral procession on September 6, 1997, saw Princes William and Harry, along with Prince Charles and Prince Philip, walk behind her coffin. Earl Spencer delivered a eulogy at the funeral that has been recognized as one of the 20th century's most significant speeches.

The revelations in 'Swan Song' are expected to bring renewed scrutiny to the royal family, particularly in the wake of the return of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the UK.