Buckingham Palace’s Rare Rebuttal to Diana Brother’s Allegations

In his forthcoming book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer and Diana’s younger brother, describes a conversation he says he had with the then‑Prince Charles shortly after the 1997 tragedy. The Daily Mail is publishing excerpts before the book’s release next week.

Spencer writes that he warned Charles Diana would not want her sons, William and Harry, to walk behind her coffin. He claims Charles replied, "rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough," suggesting contempt for his late wife.

Buckingham Palace has now issued a strongly worded denial, stating that the King never said such a thing and that "the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory."

The palace’s unusually forceful statement is notable because the royal household rarely comments on private books or family disputes. By publicly refuting the allegation, it seeks to protect the late Princess’s legacy and the monarchy’s image.

The dispute matters because public denials shape how people view the royal family. A clear rebuttal can reassure supporters that the institution respects Diana’s memory, while lingering doubts may fuel criticism.

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