Royal statement on Earl Spencer's book claims

Buckingham Palace's statement on Earl Spencer's book claims was a 'terribly misguided mistake', the Daily Mail's Diary Editor Richard Eden has claimed.

“terribly misguided mistake”

Richard Eden on Palace statement

Speaking on a new episode of this newspaper's flagship Palace Confidential show, Mr Eden was joined by Royal Editor Rebecca English, Queen Elizabeth II's former Press Secretary Ailsa Anderson and host Luke Blackall.

Earl Spencer's book claims

Earl Spencer's explosive memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, has been written to correct 'untruths' told about his older sister.

“untruths”

Earl Spencer's claim about King Charles

The Earl's incendiary claim that, days after Diana's death in a car crash, King Charles said: 'Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough'.

“Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough”

Palace's response to claims

A statement from the Palace read: '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 colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss.'

“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 colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss”

Richard Eden's criticism

Mr Eden believes the Palace's statement was 'terribly misguided' - and that it was 'unnecessary' for the King to have responded 'so quickly' to the Earl's explosive claims.

“terribly misguided”

Richard Eden's anger

I'm just terribly saddened and actually quite angry about it. I think it was a terribly misguided thing to do - to respond so quickly in this way.

“terribly misguided”

Earl Spencer's context

The Earl says he insisted to the then Prince of Wales that Diana would not have wanted her young sons to endure such a public ordeal.

King Charles's response

Charles then questioned the Spencer family’s sense of duty before saying his former wife, whose death sparked a global outpouring of grief, would soon be forgotten.

Queen Elizabeth II's view

Throughout her 70-year reign, the Queen took that view of 'never complain, never explain'.

“never complain, never explain”

Queen's statement on Oprah interview

In March 2021, Queen Elizabeth II broke her silence on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's allegations made during their interview with Oprah in an unprecedented statement.

Queen's statement on race

The Queen said: 'The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members'.

“The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members”

Richard Eden's criticism of King Charles

The reason I'm angry about it is because the King never said anything when Harry's book came out.

Richard Eden's criticism of Harry

It was terrible the things that Harry said about Prince William and particularly Catherine who never answered back.

Richard Eden's criticism of King Charles

As soon as a book comes out that criticises him for something he said 30 years ago, he rushes to put out a statement the week before the book comes out.

Rebecca English on book perception

Rebecca English then added: 'I can't make up my mind whether it was the right thing to do. But I don't think we can deny that this has changed the way the book is being perceived'.

Ailsa Anderson on Earl Spencer

Ms Anderson said: 'I understand what you are saying about Spare. What Charles Spencer is saying is about the death of a woman and her ex-husband's reaction to it which is abhorrent in any set of circumstances, whether you're a member of the Royal Family or someone walking down the street'.

Earl Spencer's book context

The book's first astonishing extract made headlines around the world and is splitting society with rival camps backing either side.

Earl Spencer's book purpose

Announcing the book last month, Earl Spencer said that, ahead of the 30th anniversary of Diana's death next year, he wanted to write down his own thoughts and memories 'rather than having the discomfort of again reading the opinions of others'.

“rather than having the discomfort of again reading the opinions of others”

Diana's HRH title

Diana lost her HRH title after her divorce in August 1996 and was instead styled Diana, Princess of Wales.