Full Breakdown
Earl Spencer’s Memoir Sparks Royal Rift Over Princess Diana’s Death
By Drooid · · How we work
The Alleged Phone Call and Book Release
Spencer’s memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, will be published on September 22. The allegation appears in excerpts serialized by the *Daily Mail* in early September, prompting a forceful response from Buckingham Palace.
Historical Context of Diana’s Death and Funeral
Diana’s death in a Paris tunnel on August 31 1997 shocked the world. Her funeral on September 6 1997 featured Princes William and Harry walking behind their mother’s coffin, a decision Spencer later described as “bizarre and cruel.” The royal family’s handling of the funeral and the removal of Diana’s “HRH” title after her 1996 divorce have long been sources of tension between the Spencers and the monarchy.
Key Dates
- August 31 1997 – Diana’s death.
- September 6 1997 – State funeral; Spencer alleges the disputed phone call occurred in the days preceding this event.
- October 1 2009 – Publication of the excerpt containing the alleged remark.
- September 22 – Release of Spencer’s memoir.
Official Statements & Responses
The palace did not directly deny the wording but suggested Spencer’s recollection could be affected by grief. Spencer has rejected the implication that his memory is unreliable, insisting he was “hyper-alert” during the call and that the king’s words were “exactly the words he said.” He frames the memoir as a “loving tribute” to his sister.
Criticism & Opposition
A source quoted by *Vanity Fair* indicated that Prince William would be “furious” about the memoir’s claims, and a family friend said King Charles is “deeply wounded and very angry,” highlighting the personal impact on the monarch.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Palace response: Grief may cloud memory; no direct denial of the phrase.
No independent verification of the phone call exists; the dispute rests on Spencer’s recollection versus the palace’s characterization of possible memory distortion.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Well, it's not every day you're gaslit by a king, but I was really upset with that because I thought it was very, not only condescending, but not straight,” — Charles Spencer, ABC News
- “I was hyper alert to what he was saying and those are precisely the words that he said,” — Charles Spencer, Fox News
What’s Next
The memoir will be available worldwide on September 22. Media outlets plan further excerpts and interviews, while Buckingham Palace has indicated no additional comment will be forthcoming. The release coincides with the approaching 30th anniversary of Diana’s death, likely renewing public scrutiny of the royal family’s handling of the tragedy.