Controversial Claims From Charles Spencer’s New Book on Princess Diana
Charles Spencer’s new book, “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,” has generated attention with stunning claims about Princess Diana’s marriage to the future king, Charles. An excerpt published by Daily Mail reveals Spencer alleging that Diana decided on divorce after discovering Charles’s romantic involvement with his valet. Spencer’s portrayal of such a significant claim is brief, yet it lies within a broader context of tense conversations with Charles after Diana’s death in 1997.
Spencer recounts a lunch with his sister in the 1990s where Diana disclosed her intentions for divorce. When Spencer warned her about potential public backlash, she replied, “But my husband is in love with his valet.” While Spencer does not name the valet, journalist Tom Sykes connects this to rumors circulating in royal circles in the early 2000s. These rumors alleged Charles had a relationship with a staff member. Despite such claims, a 2003 investigation found no evidence, and Charles’s representative strongly denied the rumors.
Michael Fawcett, often mentioned in these tales, served Charles loyally as a valet. He was a significant figure, even helping during events like squeezing toothpaste for Charles after an injury. Fawcett’s career faced turbulence in 2021 with his involvement in the “cash-for-honors” scandal, where he reportedly offered to assist a Saudi billionaire with British citizenship and a knighthood in exchange for donations.
Rumors concerning an affair between Charles and a valet originated with George Smith, another staff member. Smith, during a mental health struggle, asserted witnessing inappropriate conduct. Diana supposedly recorded these claims for safekeeping. The tape’s existence came to focus during Paul Burrell’s 2002 trial, although its contents remain undisclosed following Diana’s death.
Fawcett legally blocked efforts to publicize these allegations in 2003. Charles’s representatives, including Sir Michael Peat, labeled the assertions as groundless. The seriousness of the claims is underscored by their impact on the royal family, with Prince William and Prince Harry informed early on. Buckingham Palace later issued a statement criticizing Spencer’s book, attributing its claims to grief-induced distortions of memory.
Piers Morgan and others openly criticized Spencer for reviving incendiary claims calculated to tarnish Charles’s reputation. Many consider the allegations not just unlikely, but financially motivated, questioning Spencer’s decision to only now address the rumors despite earlier opportunities in interviews and other works.
The book provides expanded insights into post-death tensions between Spencer and the royal family. Spencer mentions contentious exchanges with Charles, including an emotional debate regarding Prince William and Prince Harry’s participation in their mother’s funeral procession. Spencer further claims Charles displayed a dismissive attitude towards Diana even after her passing.