Buckingham Palace rebuts Earl Spencer memoir detailing King Charles's reaction to Diana's death

Allegations in the upcoming memoir

Serialised excerpts from Earl Charles Spencer's forthcoming memoir, titled "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister", were published by the Daily Mail ahead of the book's release on Tuesday. In the text, Diana's younger brother describes a telephone conversation with the monarch, then the Prince of Wales, immediately following the August 1997 car crash in Paris that killed Diana at the age of 36. Spencer writes that Charles sounded giddily elated and resembled a lottery winner during the phone call. Spencer noted that other callers were stunned and struggling to speak, while Charles appeared markedly different in tone.

Spencer offered his own interpretation of the monarch's reaction in the memoir.

Looking back now, I suspect the prince's first reaction must have been to think more of how this event might free him to marry the woman he loved, rather than appreciating the loss of one he did not.

Funeral disputes and earlier tensions

The memoir details sharp disagreements between Spencer and the royal household in the days leading up to Diana's funeral. According to Spencer, Charles reacted angrily during a discussion about whether Prince William, then 15, and Prince Harry, then 12, should walk behind their mother's coffin. Spencer opposed the decision, alleging that palace officials wanted the young princes in the cortege to shield Charles from potential public hostility. Spencer also claims that during this period Charles remarked that Diana would be forgotten soon enough.

In addition, Spencer writes about Diana's psychological distress during her marriage and engagement. The memoir states Diana drove to Beachy Head on England's south coast while contemplating suicide, stopping only because of her love for William and Harry. Spencer also alleges that Diana attempted to call off the 1981 royal wedding after discovering a bracelet intended for Camilla Parker Bowles, but their father refused permission to withdraw. The book notes Diana's waist measurement shrank from 29 inches to 23.5 inches between the engagement and the wedding following critical comments by Charles.

Buckingham Palace issues formal response

Buckingham Palace responded directly to the claims on Wednesday evening, issuing a statement addressing the allegations.

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.

The response followed widespread British newspaper coverage, with outlets splashing the claims across their front pages. Public reactions recorded in London ranged from scepticism regarding commercial motives behind the book release to dismay over the reported remarks.

Royal schedule and recent family movements

The claims emerged as King Charles hosted artificial intelligence executives in Scotland on Thursday to discuss safety frameworks for humanity. The serialisation also coincides with changes in royal family arrangements in London. Prince Harry and Meghan returned to reside in Britain in August 2026 with their two children, six years after stepping down from official duties and moving to the United States. Harry is scheduled to attend several charity events in London in the coming weeks, while relations between Harry, the king, and Prince William remain strained.