London – Earl Charles Spencer, Diana’s brother, has publicly challenged Buckingham Palace after the royal household disputed his recollection of a phone call with King Charles III following Princess Diana’s death. Spencer, who is preparing a memoir titled Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, says the king told him, “We’ll forget her soon enough!” – a remark he describes as a cruel dismissal of his sister’s memory.
Spencer’s account and the palace’s response
Spencer first revealed the alleged exchange in an excerpt published by The Daily Mail. He claims the conversation took place six days after Diana’s fatal car crash in August 1997, during a brief call that he says was one of only two he ever had with the future monarch.
“Prince Charles continued his stream of anger, then paused, and I thought he was trying to control himself,” Spencer wrote. “He then hissed, ‘Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough!’” The earl says he was shocked by the tone and immediately shared the comment with close friends and family.
Buckingham Palace pushes back
Palace officials issued a statement refusing to comment on the book but noted that “the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss.” The spokesperson emphasized that the king’s perspective may differ from Spencer’s recollection.
During a televised interview with BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, Spencer pressed the palace’s denial, asking, “Is the king furious or embarrassed? Because those are exactly the words he said.” Kuenssberg read the palace’s statement, noting the king’s “plain fury.” Spencer insisted his memory was clear, citing his limited contact with Charles over the years.
Family dynamics and public reaction
The dispute revives longstanding tensions within the Spencer family and the broader royal household. In his 2023 memoir Spare, Prince Harry recalled his own objections to the decision to have him and Prince William walk behind their mother’s coffin, calling the arrangement “barbaric.” Spencer has previously criticized that funeral decision, describing it as “bizarre and cruel.”
While the royal family has traditionally kept internal disagreements private, the public airing of this alleged remark adds another chapter to the ongoing narrative of how the monarchy handles grief, legacy, and media scrutiny.
What’s next for the memoir?
Spencer’s memoir is slated for release on September 22. The book promises further insight into his relationship with his sister, the royal family, and the events surrounding Diana’s death. Whether the king will respond directly to the upcoming publication remains to be seen.
For now, the conversation highlights the challenges of reconciling personal memory with official royal narratives, a tension that continues to capture public interest.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
