Earl Spencer Calls Buckingham Palace Response to His Memoir “Very Aggressive”

Earl Spencer has reignited his dispute with Buckingham Palace, describing the Palace’s response to his new memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, as “very aggressive” and accusing it of “gaslighting” him over his account of events following Princess Diana’s death.

Speaking at a book event in New York on Tuesday, September 29, the Earl — Princess Diana’s younger brother — discussed the controversy surrounding his newly released memoir with former magazine editor Tina Brown.

The comments come after Buckingham Palace issued a rare statement addressing claims in the book about King Charles, including Spencer’s allegation that the then-Prince Charles told him, “rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough,” during an argument over Diana’s funeral arrangements.

Spencer Stands by His Account

Spencer has continued to maintain that his recollection of the conversation is accurate.

According to his account, he had objected to Prince William and Prince Harry walking behind their mother’s coffin during the 1997 funeral procession. He said Charles contacted him after the disagreement and allegedly made the remark about Diana being forgotten.

The claim prompted Buckingham Palace to respond, although the Palace stressed that it does not normally comment on books.

In its statement, the Palace said King Charles was “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.”

Spencer has now taken issue with that response.

Speaking to Brown at the New York event, he argued that Charles had two options: either say nothing or deny the allegation. According to Spencer, the King did neither.

“[Charles] had the opportunity to not say anything or to deny it, and he did neither,” Spencer said.

He then described the Palace’s response as “very aggressive” and accused it of “gaslighting.”

More Claims About King Charles

The controversy surrounding Swan Song: Diana, My Sister goes beyond the alleged conversation about Diana’s funeral.

In the memoir, Spencer also claims that Charles sounded “giddily elated — like a lottery winner” when speaking to him after Diana died in a 1997 Paris car crash.

The allegations have drawn significant attention because they concern the immediate aftermath of Diana’s death and the relationship between her family and the then-Prince Charles.

Spencer has previously said that the purpose of the memoir was to tell Diana’s story from his perspective. He has nevertheless continued to defend the disputed passages as he promotes the book.

The Times also reported that Spencer discussed Charles having a “temper” during the New York event. Buckingham Palace has not issued another statement responding to his latest remarks.

William and Harry Have Remained Silent

Prince William and Prince Harry have also not publicly commented on their uncle’s memoir.

The brothers were reportedly informed about the book, with Spencer previously saying that Harry was “completely fine” with its contents. Reports have separately suggested that William reacted much more negatively, although neither prince has addressed the memoir publicly.

The book has therefore opened another chapter in the long-running scrutiny surrounding Diana, her marriage to Charles and the events surrounding her death in 1997.

For now, Spencer continues to stand by his version of events, while Buckingham Palace has offered no further response to his latest criticism.