King Charles Responds to Claims in Earl Spencer's Memoir

King Charles has issued a rare statement from Buckingham Palace in response to claims made by his former brother-in-law, Charles Spencer, in his upcoming memoir, "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister." The statement addresses allegations about a heated conversation between Charles and Spencer following the death of Princess Diana, specifically concerning the decision for Princes William and Harry to walk behind their mother's coffin during her funeral procession.

An excerpt of the memoir published by the Daily Mail quotes Spencer alleging that Charles, then Prince of Wales, said, "Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough!" Spencer's memoir details his disagreement with the royal family over the funeral arrangements, particularly the procession route for his nephews, who were 15 and 12 years old at the time.

Buckingham Palace's 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."

Princess Diana died in August 1997 at the age of 36 after a car accident in Paris. Her divorce from King Charles was finalized in August 1996, one year before her death.

Prince Harry, in his 2023 memoir "Spare," also wrote about the funeral procession, stating that "mummy’s brother, Uncle Charles, raised hell" and that he told the royal family, "You can’t make these boys walk behind their mother’s coffin! It’s barbaric."

Spencer has previously spoken about his opposition to the procession, telling BBC Radio 4’s Today in 2017 that he found the decision "bizarre and cruel." He described the experience as "the most horrifying half an hour of my life" and recalled having nightmares about the event.

"Swan Song: Diana, My Sister" is scheduled for release on Tuesday, September 22.