London – Earl Charles Spencer, brother of the late Princess Diana, is set to release a memoir that revisits the fraught relationship between Diana, her brother and the current monarch. In the book, Spencer alleges that King Charles, shortly after Diana’s death, called her a “dagger to the heart” of his sons and warned that she would soon be forgotten. Buckingham Palace has categorically rejected the claim, calling it unfounded.
Family history and the eulogy that cemented Spencer’s reputation
Spencer, born May 20, 1964, grew up at Althorp House in West Northamptonshire, a stone’s throw from Windsor Castle. He and Diana were close as children, sharing school days and family holidays. After Diana’s tragic death in 1997, Spencer delivered a moving eulogy that praised her compassion, duty, style and beauty, and condemned the British press for its relentless pursuit of the “most hunted person of the modern age.” The speech was widely applauded both inside the cathedral and among the public outside.
New allegations in the forthcoming memoir
According to excerpts published by the Daily Mail, Spencer claims that King Charles, still grieving, called Diana a “stream of anger” on the phone and warned that the public would soon forget her. The alleged comments have never been reported before. The palace’s response described the memoir’s claims as “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.”
Spencer’s career and personal life
Before turning to writing, Spencer spent a decade as an on‑air correspondent for NBC News, beginning in 1986. He later authored several books on British history, including works on Charles II. He has five daughters and two sons from three marriages. His website confirms his education at Eton College and Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied modern history.
Reactions from royal observers
Commentators are divided. Some argue the memoir reopens old wounds and could affect Princes William and Harry as they navigate their own strained relationship with the royal household. Others defend Spencer, saying his focus on family over tradition reflects a desire to protect Diana’s memory and her sons.
Recent visits by Harry and Meghan to Diana’s burial site and Harry’s appearance at the 2024 Invictus Games, supported by Spencer family members, have kept the Sussexes in the public eye. The new book adds another layer to the ongoing conversation about loyalty, grief, and the role of the monarchy in modern Britain.
What this means for the royal family
The dispute underscores the delicate balance between private family grief and public expectation. While the palace denies the specific allegations, the memoir’s release is likely to spark renewed media scrutiny and public debate about how the royal family handles its internal conflicts and the legacy of Princess Diana.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
