Story perspectives

Diana Memoir Claims King Charles Promised Forgetting Her

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 1:15 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Charles Spencer, 9th Earl, published memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister on Sept. 22, 2026.
Spencer alleges King Charles III told him they would forget Diana soon after her 1997 death.
Spencer says the king sounded giddily elated, like a lottery winner, in the call.
Buckingham Palace said the king’s grief may cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory.
Spencer called the palace’s comment gaslighting and defended his recollection.

History

Historical Context

Princess Diana’s 1997 death triggered a funeral watched by an estimated 3 million mourners and sparked criticism of Buckingham Palace’s protocol, including the decision not to fly the Royal Standard at half-mast. The subsequent 2008 inquest, led by Lord Justice Scott Baker, found unlawful killing by paparazzi negligence. Charles Spencer’s 2026 memoir revives those disputes, accusing King Charles III of erasing Diana’s legacy.

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Story summary

Charles Spencer, 9th Earl, published memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister on Sept. 22, 2026.
Spencer alleges King Charles III told him they would forget Diana soon after her 1997 death.
Spencer says the king sounded giddily elated, like a lottery winner, in the call.
Buckingham Palace said the king’s grief may cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory.
Spencer called the palace’s comment gaslighting and defended his recollection.

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