Earl Spencer Says William and Harry Will Not Be Surprised by His Claims About King Charles

Earl Spencer has made a striking six-word claim about Princes William and Harry, saying the brothers will “not be a surprise” when they read his explosive account of events surrounding their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

The 62-year-old made the comments during an exclusive BBC interview with Laura Kuenssberg, which aired on Sunday, ahead of the release of his memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister on Tuesday.

Spencer’s comments come as his book draws renewed attention to his allegations about King Charles and the events following Diana’s death in 1997.

‘These words will not be a surprise to them’

Asked about William and Harry, Spencer was careful not to reveal details of his private conversations with his nephews.

“I don’t like to talk about what I’ve been speaking about to William and Harry, but this will not be a surprise to them,” he told Kuenssberg.

He then repeated the point: “I will tell you that these words will not be a surprise to them.”

Spencer did not specify exactly what he had discussed with either prince. However, his remarks came in the context of his claims about their father and his recollections of the period immediately after Diana’s death.

The comments have therefore drawn particular attention as the memoir prepares to go on sale.

Spencer’s disputed account of King Charles

One of the most controversial passages in Swan Song concerns an alleged conversation Spencer says he had with the then Prince Charles shortly after Diana’s death.

According to Spencer, Charles told him: “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.”

Spencer has stood by his recollection despite Buckingham Palace responding to the claim by saying that grief can affect judgment and memory, particularly many years after a traumatic loss.

In his BBC interview, Spencer also described a separate dispute over whether William and Harry, who were 15 and 12 respectively at the time, should walk behind their mother’s coffin during her funeral procession.

He claimed the disagreement became heated, saying Charles “went ballistic” and “ranted” after Spencer objected to the arrangements.

A line in Diana’s eulogy had a deeper meaning

Spencer believes his famous eulogy at Diana’s funeral provides evidence of how deeply he had been affected by the alleged remark about her being forgotten.

In the address, he described his sister as “the unique, the complex, the extraordinary and irreplaceable Diana” and said that her beauty, both internal and external, “will never be extinguished from our minds.”

Speaking to Kuenssberg, Spencer explained that the wording was deliberate.

“If you get to the final bit of my eulogy, it is that her fantastic qualities ‘will never be extinguished from our minds’,” he said. He described the line as a “direct rebuttal” of the alleged words, “we’ll forget her soon enough.”

William and Harry remain at the centre of the story

Spencer’s remarks have placed William and Harry in an unusual position as their uncle’s memoir brings fresh scrutiny to events surrounding their mother’s death.

At the same time, Spencer has previously said he does not take sides in the brothers’ ongoing relationship difficulties. In a separate BBC interview, he said he was on the side of both of Diana’s sons and hoped their relationship could eventually be resolved.

His latest comments, however, make clear that he believes at least some of the material in Swan Song will already be familiar to William and Harry.

With the memoir due for release on Tuesday, Spencer’s account is set to add another chapter to the long-running public discussion surrounding Diana, her sons and the royal family.