Key facts
- Earl Spencer accused King Charles of gaslighting him and being "astonishingly provocative."
- Spencer claims Charles said "we'll forget her soon enough" during a dispute over Diana's funeral procession.
- Buckingham Palace stated the King was "mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason...and colour memory."
- Spencer said he was concerned about Prince Harry and Meghan's security, particularly Harry's lack of police protection.
- The Earl considers his memoir "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister" to be his "final word" and "celebration" of Diana.
Earl Spencer has accused King Charles of gaslighting him and being "astonishingly provocative" in a dispute over a family estate, according to a BBC interview. Spencer, who is releasing his memoir "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister" on Tuesday, stated that writing the book was his "duty...as an eyewitness to history."
Among the claims made in the book about the King, then the Prince of Wales, was that he said "we'll forget her soon enough" during an argument over whether Princes William and Harry should walk in Diana's funeral procession. Earl Spencer recounted taking a call from Prince Charles after Diana's death, describing his tone as "giddy" and "light," which he found jarring. He stated that Charles's reaction seemed to be based on how the event would free him to marry Queen Camilla.
Buckingham Palace issued a response, stating the King was "mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgement and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss." Earl Spencer, however, insisted that Charles did say the words and promised it was the truth, stating he would not have hung up on the King otherwise. He believes his nephews, William and Harry, will not be surprised by these revelations.
Spencer also expressed concern for the security of Prince Harry and Meghan, particularly Harry's lack of police protection. He noted that the media treatment of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex echoes the difficult experience of Princess Diana. The Earl considers his memoir to be his "final word" and a "celebration" of his sister.