Full Breakdown
Royal Rift Rekindled: Earl Spencer’s Memoir Accuses King Charles of Callous Remarks After Diana’s Death
By Drooid · · How we work
The Alleged Phone Call – Core Event
Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer and brother of Princess Diana, claims that days after Diana’s fatal crash on 31 August 1997 he received a heated call from then-Prince Charles. Spencer says Charles told him, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough,” and added that the prince’s first thought was how the tragedy might free him to marry the woman he loved rather than mourn Diana.
Background & Context
Spencer’s memoir *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister* is set for release on 22 September 2026, with excerpts appearing in the *Daily Mail*. The book revisits Diana’s marriage, her death, and the royal family’s handling of the funeral, including Spencer’s objection to Princes William and Harry walking behind their mother’s coffin. The controversy emerges amid renewed royal media attention, such as Prince Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK and a Sotheby’s exhibition of Diana’s “revenge dress” (18–24 September).
Official Statements & Responses
Buckingham Palace issued a statement noting that “His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory.” The palace stopped short of denying the specific wording, suggesting Spencer’s recollection may be affected by grief. No further comment was provided by the King or other senior royals.
Criticism & Opposition
Spencer called the palace’s reply “gaslighting,” insisting the alleged remarks are “exactly the words” Charles said. Critics, including royal historians, question the need to revisit 1997 and suggest the memoir may be driven by commercial motives. Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal expert, said the launch appears timed to coincide with the Sussexes’ return to the UK.
Data & Statistics
- Memoir release: 22 September 2026 (scheduled).
- *Daily Mail* serialisation began 16 September 2026.
- Sotheby’s “revenge dress” exhibition: 18–24 September 2026 in London, then Hong Kong, Geneva, and New York (arriving 2 December, auction 9 December).
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No audio recordings or independent verification of the phone call exist; the claim rests solely on Spencer’s recollection. The palace provides no evidence to refute the specific phrasing, only a general statement about memory distortion, leaving factual accuracy unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.” — Charles Spencer
- “It is not every day you wake up to find you’ve been gaslit by the king.” — Charles Spencer
- “His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory.” — Palace spokesperson
What’s Next
The memoir hits shelves on 22 September 2026. Buckingham Palace has indicated no further comment will be made, while media outlets anticipate additional excerpts and public reactions as the book circulates. The royal family’s schedule remains packed with engagements, including King Charles’s AI summit in Scotland and Prince Harry’s appearance at the Invictus awards.