Buckingham Palace has hit back.
Buckingham Palace has responded to claims made by late Princess Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, that King Charles said “we’ll forget her soon enough” days after her death. Born Charles Edward Maurice Spencer, he is Princess Diana’s younger brother and Prince William and Prince Harry’s maternal uncle.
His new memoir, titled Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, is set to uncover her marriage to Charles as well as her tragic death. Spencer’s book allegedly reveals an explosive row he had with King Charles over her funeral arrangements just days later, according to the Daily Mail. The heated exchange reportedly resulted in Charles telling Spencer: “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough”.
Prince William, Prince Harry, King Charles, Prince Philip and Earl Spencer at Diana’s funeral (Image: Getty)
Reacting to the claim, a palace spokesperson said: “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.”
Princess Diana died in a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma road tunnel in Paris on August 31, 1997. The nation was left heartbroken.
Her funeral was held six days later at Westminster Abbey and was shown on British television, attracting an audience of 32.1 million viewers.
The funeral procession saw a distraught Prince William and Prince Harry – then aged 15 and 12 – walk behind their mother’s coffin alongside King Charles, Prince Philip and Earl Spencer.
During his sister’s funeral, Earl Spencer delivered a touching eulogy that received applause from crowds both inside and outside of the abbey.
He has vowed to give an “extraordinarily moving” account of his relationship with Diana that has never been told before, with Swan Song set to be published next Tuesday.
Referencing his eulogy at Westminster Abbey, he said he wanted to tell the “truth” about his older sister.