Buckingham Palace has issued a sharp rebuttal regarding allegations made in a new book written by the late Princess of Wales’s brother, Earl Spencer. The memoir, titledSwan Song: Diana, My Sisteris set for release next week and includes highly personal claims regarding the late royal’s marriage and the events surrounding her death in 1997.
Key Allegations in the Memoir
- Charles’s ReactionEarl Spencer claims that when he spoke to the then-Prince of Wales following the news of the fatal car crash in Paris, the future King sounded “giddily elated” and like “a lottery winner.”
- Informing the PrincesAccording to the author, Charles mentioned that he had already informed Princes William and Harry of their mother’s passing earlier that morning within their rooms at Balmoral.
- Marital HistoryThe book asserts that Charles admitted to Diana on the eve of their July 1981 wedding that he was happy to marry her but was “not actually in love.”
- Health ClaimsThe Earl suggests his sister struggled with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, which he describes as intense pain stemming from perceived criticism.
- Personal StrugglesThe narrative claims that Diana contemplated suicide on multiple occasions during her later years but refrained due to her devotion to her sons.
A spokesperson for the Palace responded to the controversy by stating: “While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful 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.” This official response follows an initial extract from the book which alleged Charles remarked, “We’ll forget her soon enough.”
The memoir recounts that Earl Spencer first learned of the accident on August 31, 1997, via a late-night phone call from his sister, Jane. The author writes that relations during the marriage between Charles and Diana, who finalized their divorce in August 1996, were frequently difficult, with both parties experiencing moments of despair.
Public and media interest in the allegations remains high, though representatives for Prince Harry have declined to comment on the text. Buckingham Palace maintains its stance that the claims lack credibility, framing the narrative as a subjective and harsh interpretation of history. The book also notes that in the months following Diana’s death, the then-Prince of Wales and Earl Spencer were seen together at a banquet in Cape Town, South Africa. The report also notes that interpreting their motives in a very harsh light, the latest claims are once again highly personal in their attacks on King Charles and the royals. The report also notes that almost 30 years ago, the evidence is Earl Spencer’s own recollection of conversations about that emotional time around his sister’s death. The report also notes that whether they might support this book as a new and different Spencer perspective, or whether they might feel it to be inappropriate to be sharing such private disputes, what remains to be seen is how the public might respond to the allegations. The report also notes that things became “very difficult indeed” in the marriage early on, Earl Spencer writes, adding that he is “sure that both spouses despaired of the other at times”. The report also notes that william and Catherine visit Bute and King opens AI summit as row erupts over Diana book.
Important Details
- The report also notes that who were stunned, barely able to articulate their condolences and offers of help, he sounded giddily elated – like a lottery winner, I remember thinking at the time, the book alleges: “Unlike my other callers.
- The report also notes that the royal couple had divorced in August 1996.
