Earl Spencer defends claims about King Charles in Diana memoir

Charles Spencer, Earl Spencer, has said he was "telling the truth" about His Majesty King Charles III in his new memoir about his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales. He gave the defence in a BBC interview with Laura Kuenssberg published on 18 September 2026.

The book is titled Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. As of 17 September 2026, it was due to be published next week. Spencer is Diana's younger brother, and the memoir covers the period around her death in 1997.

In the book, Spencer claims the then Prince of Wales sounded "giddily elated - like a lottery winner" during a condolence call after Diana's death, as detailed by Hello! Magazine. He further claims the Prince said: "Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough!" The allegation concerns a private telephone call. It rests on Spencer's account alone.

He stood by the wording. Spencer told the BBC those were "exactly the words he said." He added that he has had only two phone calls with Charles in his life. Spencer also alleges in the book that he argued with the then Prince over palace plans.

In another passage, Spencer claims Diana told him, while discussing divorce from the then Prince of Wales, that her husband was "in love with his valet". The book presents that as Diana's remark to her brother. There is no independent record of the conversation in the published extracts.

Buckingham Palace disagrees. The Palace has denied the claims about the King, as reported by the Associated Press. In a statement, it 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."

The BBC published the interview under the headline "Earl Spencer defends Diana book claims about King Charles", according to the BBC. The BBC had earlier described the memoir as an upcoming book and titled a video report "Royal row intensifies after fresh claims in Diana's brother book". The full text, when published, will allow readers to see the passages in context.