# Spencer stands by 'forget her' claim about Charles

> Diana's brother insists King Charles made callous remarks about his sister days after her death, rejecting palace suggestions his memory is faulty.
- Title: Spencer stands by 'forget her' claim about Charles | Shortify
- Summary: Diana's brother insists King Charles made callous remarks about his sister days after her death, rejecting palace suggestions his memory is faulty. Earl…
- Keywords: earl spencer, king charles, diana princess of wales, buckingham palace, swan song memoir, funeral procession, 1997, royal family, disputed account, news, world, Spencer
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/18/earl-spencer-doubles-down-on-claims-about-monstrous-call-with-king-charles-after-dianas-death
- Published: 2026-09-18T17:40:49+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: earl spencer, king charles, diana princess of wales, buckingham palace, swan song memoir, funeral procession, 1997, royal family, disputed account, news, world
## Spencer claims Charles said 'forget her'
In his memoir Swan Song, Earl Spencer alleges King Charles told him days after Diana's death: 'Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough.' The comment allegedly came during a heated argument over the funeral procession.

> 'Rest assured,' he hissed, 'we'll forget her soon enough!'
## Palace questions Spencer's memory
Buckingham Palace issued an extraordinary statement suggesting Spencer's recollection was clouded by grief, saying 'the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise.'

> the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory
## Spencer doubles down in BBC interview
Speaking to the BBC, Spencer stood firm, telling Laura Kuenssberg: 'I can tell you here and now, those are exactly the words he said.' He questioned whether Charles was furious or embarrassed by the allegation.

> 'I can tell you here and now, those are exactly the words he said.'
## The funeral procession dispute
Spencer had insisted Diana's young sons, William and Harry, should not walk in the funeral procession. Charles overruled him, and the alleged 'forget her' comment came during their heated phone call about this disagreement.
## Spencer told people immediately
Spencer said the call was one of only two he had with Charles in his lifetime. He told friends and family members at the time about the comment 'because it was so monstrous,' lending credibility to his account.
## Memoir reveals other Diana claims
Spencer's book also alleges Diana told a friend before her wedding that Charles said he was happy to marry her but was not actually in love with her. The memoir is being serialised in the Daily Mail before its global release.
## Charles allegedly showed contempt
Spencer writes the comment reflected Charles's 'pent-up contempt for Diana, and his horror that the world was so bowled over by her death.' The alleged remark came during a dispute over funeral arrangements.
## Key takeaway

Earl Spencer is publicly defending his account of a phone call with then-Prince Charles over Diana's funeral arrangements, where Charles allegedly said they would forget her soon enough.