Stories
Charles vs. Charles: Earl Spencer's Diana Bombshell Resurfaces Royal Tensions
- •Earl Spencer's new book, "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister," reignites controversy over a phone call with then-Prince Charles after Diana's death.
- •Spencer alleges Charles III (then Prince of Wales) ended a call with, "Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough," a claim Buckingham Palace implicitly dismisses as "fraternal grief" clouding judgment.
- •The article highlights the difference between Charles then and now, suggesting his petulance as heir apparent and his complex feelings about Diana's death could have led to such a remark.
- •Spencer's defiant eulogy at Diana's funeral is presented as a reaction to private causes, not just paparazzi pressure, indicating deeper tensions.
- •The renewed focus on this historical exchange challenges the current public image of King Charles III and Camilla, reminding readers of the difficult path to their current acceptance.
Key Questions Answered
Earl Spencer claimed that during a fraught phone call following Princess Diana's death in 1997, the then-Prince Charles ended the conversation by stating, "Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough." Spencer also alleged that Charles sounded "giddily elated" and "like a lottery winner" during the exchange.
Buckingham Palace issued an unusual public statement addressing the claims in the memoir, noting that while they do not typically comment on books, the King is mindful that "the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise."
The heated phone call and controversial remarks reportedly stemmed from a disagreement over whether Princess Diana's young sons, Princes William and Harry, should walk behind their mother's coffin in the funeral procession.
