Spencer's book sparks Palace row

Earl Spencer's upcoming memoir 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister' includes claims that King Charles said 'we'll forget her soon enough' about Princess Diana. The Palace responded with a statement suggesting grief can cloud memory.

Spencer was in South Africa when Diana crashed

Earl Spencer was in Cape Town when he received a call about Princess Diana's car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997. His sister Jane told him it was 'not too serious,' but calls grew increasingly distressing.

“It started as a little prang, and then it became a broken leg, perhaps a head injury, and then death.”

Charles had a 'giddy tone' after Diana died

Spencer says King Charles called him from the UK with a 'giddy tone' while describing how he told Princes William and Harry about their mother's death. Spencer compared the tone to that of a 'lottery winner.'

“I felt there was a sort of giddy tone...I just felt there was a lightness in his tone about Diana's death that really jarred with me.”

Spencer opposed William and Harry walking behind the coffin

Spencer learned that Princes William and Harry were to walk behind Diana's coffin. He argued Diana would not have wanted this and called Charles to object, saying Charles was not 30 and Diana was his mother.

“Well, of course not, sir, she wouldn't want it...Yes, but you were 30, and he wasn't your mother.”

Charles went 'ballistic' over funeral plans

Spencer says Charles became angry during their phone call about the funeral, going 'ballistic' and ranting about how the Spencer family's sense of duty was inadequate.

The 'forget her soon enough' comment

During the heated funeral call, Spencer says Charles told him 'We'll forget her soon enough.' Spencer hung up after expressing shock, and later told close friends and family about the comment he calls 'monstrous.'

“We'll forget her [Diana] soon enough.”

Spencer stands by his account

When the Palace disputed his claims, Spencer doubled down, saying he was 'hyper-alert' during his only two calls with Charles and is certain of the exact words used. He noted the King hasn't denied saying it.

“I can tell you here, and now, those are exactly the words he said.”

The funeral eulogy was a rebuttal

Spencer says his famous eulogy at Diana's funeral, where he said her qualities would never be 'extinguished from our minds,' was a direct rebuttal to Charles's comment that they would forget her.

William and Harry won't be surprised

Spencer believes his nephews already know about Charles's behavior and comments. He says the revelations in his book 'will not be a surprise' to Princes William and Harry.

Spencer worries about Harry's security

Spencer expressed concern that Prince Harry, who served in the military, lacks police protection. He drew parallels to Diana's situation and said he would 'veer towards protection' for his nephew.

“As an uncle who's seen his sister die in very, very preventable circumstances, I would veer towards protection.”

Press treatment echoes Diana's experience

Spencer warned that tabloid coverage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle mirrors the destructive press treatment Diana endured. He said such criticism is a 'cancerous influence' and people should learn from Diana's example.

“It would really be beholden on people to learn from Diana's example.”

Spencer knows more about Charles

Spencer revealed he has additional damaging information about King Charles but chose not to include it in the book because it wasn't relevant to Diana's story. He denied this was a threat, calling it 'just the reality.'

“I know lots of things about the King which I chose not to include in the book because they were not relevant.”

The book honors Diana, not attacks others

Spencer said his primary purpose is to write an honest tribute to his sister rather than damage reputations. He described it as 'a brother's tribute, a loving tribute to a sister.'

“It's a brother's tribute, a loving tribute to a sister. I think she deserves honesty, so that's what I've delivered.”

Spencer hopes William and Harry reconcile

Spencer confirmed that Princes William and Harry are in a feud and expressed hope they will 'resolve' their differences. He said there are 'a lot of reasons on both sides' but acknowledged he doesn't know all the details.

“I hope one day it's resolved.”