Earl Charles Spencer’s memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister—due 22 September—contains extracts alleging that some at Buckingham Palace were "relieved" by Diana’s death and that the then-Prince Charles sounded "giddily elated" when told the news. The Palace issued a cautious response, noting grief can affect memory. Spencer also says funeral arrangements were taken from Diana’s family and that unreleased copies of the book were reported stolen in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, William and Kate continued public engagements on the Isle of Bute and Prince Harry attended the Invictus Spirit Gala in London.
Earl Spencer’s Memoir Sparks Palace Row With New Claims About Diana’s Death
WINDSOR, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on the long Walk at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022 in Windsor, England. Crowds have gathered and tributes left at the gates of Windsor Castle to Queen Elizabeth II, who died at Balmoral Castle on 8 September, 2022. (Photo by Kirsty O'Connor - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
The publication of excerpts from Earl Charles Spencer’s forthcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, has reignited controversy around the royal family, prompting an unusually swift response from Buckingham Palace.
The Earl's book Swan Song will be published on 22 September (@ Instagram / @charles.earl.spencer)
Due to be published on 22 September, the book’s preview extracts published in the Daily Mail include explosive allegations about attitudes inside Buckingham Palace on the morning Diana, Princess of Wales, died on 31 August 1997. Spencer writes that some at the Palace were "relieved – indeed pleased" by her death and describes the then-Prince of Wales as having sounded "giddily elated – like a lottery winner" when he informed others that morning.
Earl Charles Spencer has made some explosive claims (@ Getty Images)
"Unlike my other callers, who were stunned, barely able to articulate their condolences and offers of help, he sounded giddily elated – like a lottery winner," Spencer recalls in the book.
Spencer suggests the prince may initially have thought the tragedy freed him to marry Camilla Parker Bowles. He also alleges that Prince Charles took control of funeral planning from Diana’s family and that Buckingham Palace ignored her wish to include Mozart’s Requiem.
Diana, Princess of Wales, died on 31 August 1997 (@ Getty Images)
Palace Response and Reaction
Buckingham Palace issued a measured rebuttal, saying it does not normally comment on books but noting 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." The Telegraph has reported that Spencer did not share the manuscript in advance with Princes William and Harry or with the Palace; the book was kept under tight security.
King Charles is mentioned in the memoir (@ Getty Images)
Spencer also recounts a heated exchange with the then-Prince of Wales after he said Diana would not have wanted William and Harry, then 15 and 12, to walk behind her coffin. The memoir quotes Charles as saying: "Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough."
Copies of the unreleased book had been stolen from a lorry in the Netherlands
Unreleased Copies Stolen
Separately, newspapers reported that a small number of unreleased copies of Swan Song were reported stolen from a lorry in the Netherlands while in transit from a central European printing plant to a Dutch warehouse. The driver discovered a break-in after parking overnight; Dutch police are investigating.
It was business as usual for William and Kate (@ POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Royal Engagements Continue
Amid the controversy, the Prince and Princess of Wales continued with public duties. William and Kate visited Ettrick Bay on the Isle of Bute to take part in a beach clean with Beachwatch Bute, meeting volunteers and helping to remove a large plastic mussel buoy despite poor weather.
Prince Harry attended the Invictus Games Foundation's inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards (@ Getty Images)
On Thursday evening, the Duke of Sussex made a public appearance in London at the Invictus Spirit Gala Dinner and Awards. Harry, not accompanied by the Duchess of Sussex, said at the event: "Good. It's good to be back on British soil." He also spoke of his excitement to meet winners and nominees, having served on the judging panel.
The memoir’s excerpts have provoked debate about memory, grief and the public role of the monarchy. With the full book due imminently, further reaction from the royal household and the public can be expected.
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