A new memoir by Princess Diana’s brother has reopened one of the most painful chapters in modern British royal history with fresh claims about how the future King Charles III reacted in the hours following Diana’s death.
In Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, Charles Spencer describes a telephone conversation with the then-Prince Charles shortly after Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997. Excerpts from the book, published ahead of its September 22 release have prompted an unusually direct response from Buckingham Palace.
Spencer recalls Charles as sounding unexpectedly upbeat during their conversation. He writes that the prince appeared remarkably relieved and suggests that Charles may have immediately viewed Diana’s death in the context of his future relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles.
The claims remain Spencer’s recollection of events and have been disputed by people who worked closely with Charles.
Buckingham Palace Responds
The palace normally avoids commenting on books about members of the royal family. In this case, however, a spokesperson issued a statement addressing the allegations.
The response did not directly engage with each claim but questioned whether memories formed during profound personal grief could remain entirely reliable decades later.
The statement pointed to the possibility that grief can influence judgment and recollection, particularly when events are remembered many years after they occurred.
The response echoed the cautious language used by the royal household in previous controversies involving disputed recollections.
A Disputed Conversation
According to Spencer, the conversation took place after Diana’s death had been confirmed. He says Charles also became involved in discussions surrounding whether Princes William and Harry, then teenagers should take part in their mother’s funeral procession.
Spencer alleges that Charles expressed anger during those discussions and recalls a particularly harsh remark concerning the family’s ability to move on from Diana’s death.
The account presents the conversation from Spencer’s perspective, while others close to Charles have rejected the characterization.
Julian Payne, who served as Charles’ communications secretary, told the BBC that the alleged language did not resemble the Charles he knew.
The contrasting accounts underline the difficulty of reconstructing private conversations from nearly three decades ago, particularly when those involved were dealing with an intensely traumatic event.
Diana’s Death and the Royal Family
Diana died on August 31, 1997, at the age of 36 after the Mercedes carrying her and Dodi al-Fayed crashed in a Paris tunnel while being pursued by photographers.
Her death triggered enormous public mourning in Britain and around the world. It also intensified scrutiny of the royal family’s response to the tragedy, including criticism of the institution’s public handling of grief.
William and Harry have both spoken over the years about the emotional difficulty of walking behind their mother’s coffin during her funeral.
At the time of Diana’s death, her marriage to Charles had already ended. The couple separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996 after years of highly publicised marital difficulties.
Charles subsequently married Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005.
Another Troubling Account
Spencer’s memoir also contains claims about Diana’s mental state during the final years of her life.
He writes that she visited Beachy Head, a coastal location in southern England associated with a significant number of suicides, while experiencing periods of deep distress.
According to Spencer, Diana’s relationship with her sons helped prevent her from acting on thoughts of suicide.
The account adds another deeply personal dimension to a life that has been examined repeatedly through biographies, documentaries and royal investigations.
A Story That Continues to Resurface
Nearly three decades after Diana’s death, public interest in her life remains unusually strong. Every new memoir or previously unpublished account can therefore reopen questions about her marriage her relationship with the royal family and the circumstances surrounding her final years.
Spencer’s book does not settle those questions. Instead, it offers another personal recollection, while Buckingham Palace has challenged the reliability of memories surrounding such a traumatic period.
The continuing debate reflects the enduring public fascination with Diana and the extent to which her story remains intertwined with the history of the modern British monarchy.
Rafia Batool
About Author:
The author writes about food safety, cultural issues and well-being focusing on raising awareness about healthy practices, cultural understanding and public health. Their work aims to educate readers and promote safer, healthier and more informed communities.
Keywords: Princess Diana, King Charles, Charles Spencer memoir, Swan Song Diana My Sister, Diana death, British royal family, Prince Charles, Princess Diana book, Buckingham Palace
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