Earl Spencer and Buckingham Palace Clash Over Diana Discussion

Princess Diana’s brother, Earl Charles Spencer, has contested Buckingham Palace’s statement regarding a past exchange he recollects having with King Charles III. Spencer claimed he felt “gaslit” by the monarch following the Palace’s dismissal of his account of the conversation.

The controversy arose from an excerpt published by The Daily Mail from Spencer’s upcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. In the book, Spencer describes a tense call with Charles after Diana’s death. He alleges that Charles expressed, “We’ll forget her soon enough!,” reflecting a lack of empathy.

Buckingham Palace countered Spencer’s account, suggesting grief might cloud his memory, given the emotional turmoil surrounding his sister’s passing.

Earl Spencer’s Reaction

In an interview with The Mail on Sunday, Spencer voiced his frustration with the Palace’s reaction. He felt the statement was unfair, indirectly accusing him of lying without direct denial from the King. Spencer criticized its similarity to the “recollections may vary” phrase previously used by the Palace in a different context.

The infamous phrase, “recollections may vary,” was part of the Palace’s response following the high-profile interview of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with Oprah Winfrey in 2021.

Alleged Conversation Details

Spencer alleged that during a phone call, Prince Charles exhibited anger, culminating in the comment regarding the public’s future forgetfulness about Diana. The disagreement also involved having Princes William and Harry, then teenagers, participate in their mother’s funeral procession.

Buckingham Palace’s Position

“His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason,” the Palace stated, referencing Spencer’s assertions. Their response reflects an understanding of how grief can impact judgment and memory.

Spencer remained firm in his version of the exchange, reiterating his recollections during an interview on BBC One’s “Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.” Despite the Palace’s non-specific denial, Spencer insisted his memory was clear, considering the rarity of his interactions with Charles.

Family Dynamics

Spencer suggested this narrative wouldn’t surprise Princes William and Harry. He had previously expressed his strong opposition to them walking behind Diana’s casket, a sentiment he shared during a 2017 interview with BBC Radio 4.

The incident, according to Spencer, was heart-wrenching, describing the overwhelming emotions and the protocol of maintaining stoic composure as especially challenging.

The memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister is scheduled for release on September 22, delving further into Spencer’s experiences and perspectives following his sister’s tragic death in a 1997 car crash.

Fox News Digital’s contributors, including Lori Bashian and entertainment journalist Ashley Hume, assisted in covering this development.