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The controversies surrounding the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death continue to provoke strong reactions, as highlighted in Earl Spencer’s new book, *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister*. This memoir delves into long-standing family tensions and reignites scrutiny of King Charles’s character, particularly focusing on his behavior towards Diana and his relationship with Queen Camilla. The global media frenzy sparked by the book has reopened debates about historical events and personal interactions within the royal family.
According to Professor Pauline Maclaran from Royal Holloway, University of London, Diana’s supporters on social media largely endorse Earl Spencer’s narrative. She emphasizes that the royals remain highly sensitive to reminders of Diana’s tragic and unresolved fate. Meanwhile, royal commentator Jennie Bond describes the book as “fantastically hostile, absolutely rude” and considers it a harsh depiction of a man, yet acknowledges the uncertainty over the truth of the events recounted.
A central point of contention is Earl Spencer’s claim about a conversation he had with the then Prince Charles shortly after Diana’s death. In the book, Charles is quoted as saying, “We’ll forget her soon enough,” and is accused of appearing “giddily elated,” likened to a “lottery winner” upon hearing the news. Buckingham Palace responded to these accusations with a formal but polite denial, suggesting that grief can sometimes obscure memory and judgment. The Palace’s statement stressed that fraternal grief might affect how events are recalled, and that different people may perceive the same incident in varying ways.
Psychotherapist Nick Hatter refrained from taking a stance on the accuracy of the accounts but noted that traumatic events often distort memories, especially when communicated through phone calls lacking visual and non-verbal cues. He explained that grief can cause unpredictable reactions such as “bereavement mania,” a state where someone exhibits inappropriate or euphoric behavior after a loss. Public opinion, as gauged by a YouGov poll, remains divided: 31% believe Earl Spencer’s version, 36% doubt it, and 33% are uncertain. Commentators like historian Sir Anthony Seldon and royal expert Low suggest the book might not significantly change entrenched views and point out the discomfort in reopening these sensitive issues decades later. Richard Palmer warned that the memoir risks dragging the royal family back to the turmoil of 1997, potentially jeopardizing efforts to reshape the public image of Charles and Camilla. Veteran broadcaster David Dimbleby questioned the timing of the release, expressing concern over the ongoing fascination with gossip rather than focusing on the future of the monarchy.
Earl Spencer explained that the forthcoming 30th anniversary of Diana’s death prompted him to write the book, driven by the volume of interview requests and his desire to correct what he sees as widespread misinformation. In interviews, including one with BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, he adamantly defends the factual accuracy of his claims, particularly denying any doubt about the reported conversation with King Charles. He insisted, “I can tell you here and now, those are exactly the words he said… I was hyper alert to what he was saying and those are precisely the words that he said.”
Known as a personable and engaging figure, Earl Spencer brings a unique perspective to this narrative, having been intimately involved in the royal family’s private moments. Unlike commentators who view events from a distance, his account is shaped by direct experiences with both his sister and her in-laws. While his book suggests that the legacy of Diana’s death continues to affect the royal family deeply, it also reveals that Spencer himself remains profoundly impacted by this chapter of history
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