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.