Princess Diana's Brother Claims King Charles Hoped to Walk Behind Her Casket
Charles Spencer's forthcoming memoir alleges the late monarch's "odd wish" for his ex-wife's funeral procession.
Princess Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, has revealed what he described as King Charles III's "odd wish" for his former wife's funeral: to walk directly behind her casket. The claim comes from Spencer's forthcoming book, "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister."
Spencer wrote in excerpts published by the Daily Mail that Prince Charles "was insisting that he wanted to do so," despite his and Diana's divorce three years prior. He added, "It is hard to see why, given his feelings for Diana."
According to Spencer, the funeral committee considered Charles's request, with concerns that if he walked alone, he might face public abuse. To mitigate this, it was decided that Diana's sons, Prince William, then 15, and Prince Harry, then 12, would walk with their father and uncle behind the casket, a move Spencer felt would "guarantee against insults flying."
Spencer recounted that he was hesitant to have his nephews participate, expressing a desire that they not be "dragooned" into the procession. He noted that on the day before the funeral, he received assurances that the princes were not being coerced.
Despite his reservations, Spencer, Charles, Prince Philip, Prince William, and Prince Harry all walked behind Diana's casket on September 6, 1997, during the procession from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey.
Spencer delivered a eulogy at the funeral, describing his sister as "the most hunted person of the modern age."
In his book, Spencer also details the tumultuous relationship between Charles and Diana, who married in 1981, separated in 1992, and divorced in 1996. The marriage was marked by extramarital affairs on both sides, with Charles's relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles being a significant factor.
Buckingham Palace, on behalf of King Charles, disputed Spencer's claims. A spokesperson stated, "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."
Prince Harry was reportedly aware of his uncle's book claims, with a source indicating the allegations were not surprising to the Duke of Sussex. "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister" is scheduled for release on September 22.