British royal commentator Earl Charles Spencer, brother of the late Princess Diana, is set to release a memoir titled Swan Song that contains a series of startling allegations about the late Princess’s marriage to King Charles III. The book, slated for publication next week, has already drawn a sharp response from Buckingham Palace, which declined to comment on the book itself but warned that grief can cloud judgment.
Alleged reaction to Diana’s death
According to excerpts released by the Daily Mail and confirmed by Penguin Random House, Spencer describes a phone call on the night of August 31, 1997, when news of Diana’s fatal car crash in Paris first broke. He claims Prince Charles sounded “giddily elated – like a lottery winner,” suggesting the prince’s first thought was how the tragedy might free him to marry the woman he loved, rather than mourning his sister‑in‑law.
Spencer further alleges that during a later conversation, Charles unleashed a “stream of anger” when the brothers debated whether Princes William and Harry should walk behind their mother’s coffin at the funeral. The memoir quotes Charles as saying, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough!” Spencer says he responded flatly before ending the call.
Claims about the marriage
The book also recounts Spencer’s view that Diana was unhappy in her relationship with the then‑Prince of Wales. He asserts that Diana attempted to break off the engagement after Charles showed “next to no interest in her” at a birthday party for their brother, Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor. Spencer writes that Diana confided in their father, saying she could not marry a man who did not love her, but their father refused to allow the break.
Spencer further alleges that Charles told Diana the day before their wedding that he was “very happy to marry her, but he was not actually in love with her.” He also claims Charles made a comment about Diana’s waist, calling her “a bit chubby here,” which Spencer says devastated her, especially given her struggle with bulimia.
Royal title controversy
In a surprising detail, Spencer says Queen Elizabeth II offered to restore the “HRH” title to Diana after her death, a title that had been removed following her divorce from Prince Charles. Spencer writes that Diana was “dreadfully hurt” by the removal and that he rejected the offer as a “consolation prize,” believing his sister would have found it insulting.
Palace response
Buckingham Palace issued a statement noting that, as a matter of principle, they do not comment on books. The spokesperson added that “His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and color memory in ways others do not recognize, even many years after such a loss.” The statement stops short of addressing the specific allegations.
Context and reaction
The memoir arrives at a time when the British monarchy faces renewed scrutiny over its relevance and transparency. Critics argue that the book could further erode public trust, while supporters of the royal family stress the importance of respecting privacy and the grieving process.
Spencer’s claims have ignited a debate among royal watchers, historians, and the public about the accuracy of his recollections and the motives behind publishing such personal details. As the book’s release approaches, readers will be watching closely to see how the royal household responds beyond the initial palace statement.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
