In a series of explosive revelations that have sent shockwaves through Britain and beyond, Charles Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, has accused King Charles III of reacting to Diana’s tragic death in 1997 with what he describes as "giddily elated" relief. These allegations, detailed in Spencer’s forthcoming memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, have reignited debate over the royal family’s conduct during one of its darkest chapters, and prompted a rare, forceful response from Buckingham Palace.
Excerpts from the memoir, which is set for release on September 22, 2026 and has been serialised by the Daily Mail since September 16, paint a deeply personal and sometimes painful portrait of the days following Diana’s fatal car crash in Paris. According to Spencer, the initial call he received from then-Prince Charles stood out starkly from the flood of stunned, grief-stricken messages that filled his home in Cape Town, South Africa.
"The phone rang constantly. Prince Charles caught me as I crossed the landing upstairs," Spencer writes. "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, I remember thinking at the time." (People.com, Sky News, Dawn, KSL)
Spencer’s account goes further, suggesting that Charles’ immediate reaction was less about mourning his ex-wife than considering the personal ramifications of her death. "Looking back now, I suspect the prince’s first reaction must have been to think more of how this event might free him to marry the woman he loved, rather than appreciating the loss of one he did not," he writes, alluding to Charles’ long-standing relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles, now Queen Camilla. (People.com, Dawn)
The book also recounts how Charles informed his sons, Princes William and Harry—then 15 and 12 years old, respectively—of their mother’s death in their bedrooms at Balmoral. Spencer describes the conversation as "strangely matter-of-fact, given the enormity of the disaster." (People.com, Sky News, Dawn)
Perhaps the most controversial allegation in the memoir involves a heated exchange between Spencer and Charles regarding the funeral arrangements for Diana. Spencer recalls objecting to the plan for William and Harry to walk behind their mother’s coffin in the funeral procession, a decision that has since become a defining—and haunting—image of royal history. According to Spencer, Charles responded with a "stream of anger," culminating in the words: "Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough!" Spencer says he was so stunned by this remark that he could only reply, "I can’t believe you just said that," before hanging up. (People.com, Dawn, KSL, Sky News)
These claims have provoked a rare public rebuttal from Buckingham Palace. In a statement issued on September 16, 2026, the Palace 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 color memory in ways others do not recognize, even many years after such a loss." (Sky News, Dawn, KSL, People.com) The statement, described by Sky News’s royal correspondent Laura Bundock as a "remarkable intervention," echoes the late Queen Elizabeth II’s measured response to earlier royal controversies, noting that "some recollections may vary."
Despite the Palace’s insistence that grief may have distorted Spencer’s memories, the memoir’s claims have stirred considerable debate. Julian Payne, who served as communications secretary to Charles in 2017, told the BBC he found it hard to believe his former boss would have used such language, saying, "It’s just not language that I recognise." Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for the Sunday Times, noted that the Palace’s unusually swift and strong response signaled a deep sense of anger within the monarchy. (Dawn)
The memoir’s revelations do not stop at the immediate aftermath of Diana’s death. Spencer recounts other painful episodes from Diana’s life, including her struggles with an eating disorder and her contemplation of suicide at Beachy Head, England’s highest chalk sea cliff. "It is a sad fact that, in her later years, Diana drove herself more than once to Beachy Head, while contemplating ending it all," Spencer writes, adding that her love for her sons ultimately stopped her from going further. (Dawn, Sky News)
The book also revisits the tumultuous relationship between Charles and Diana, detailing how, on the day before their wedding, Charles allegedly told Diana he was not in love with her. Diana, for her part, is said to have confided to her brother that "my husband is in love with his valet" after revealing her intention to divorce. Other anecdotes, such as Charles reportedly calling Diana "chubby" after their engagement, echo themes explored in previous biographies and documentaries. (Sky News, KSL)
Princess Diana’s death at age 36 in a high-speed car crash while being pursued by paparazzi in Paris remains one of the most traumatic events in recent British history. The public’s outpouring of grief was so intense that it led to widespread criticism of the monarchy for what many perceived as a lack of empathy. Both William and Harry have since spoken openly about the emotional toll of walking behind their mother’s coffin, a moment that continues to resonate with the public. (Dawn, KSL)
Spencer’s motivation for writing Swan Song: Diana, My Sister appears rooted in a desire to offer a brother’s tribute to an "extraordinary sister." In a recent Instagram post after recording the audiobook, he wrote, "At heart, this is a brother’s simple tribute to an extraordinary sister. When I finished the recording, I thought: ‘That is exactly what I wanted and needed to say—and she would, I reckon, have approved of every word.’" (People.com)
As the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death approaches next year, Spencer’s memoir promises to reignite old wounds and provoke fresh discussion about the legacy of the "People’s Princess," the monarchy’s response to tragedy, and the enduring complexities of grief and memory. With Buckingham Palace standing firm in its rebuttal and the public’s fascination with Diana undiminished, Swan Song looks set to ensure that the debate over Diana’s legacy—and the royal family’s role in it—remains as alive as ever.