King Charles III has issued a rare public response to allegations made by the brother of his late first wife, Princess Diana, regarding comments made in the days after her death in 1997.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson stated on Wednesday that the monarch acknowledged the potential impact of grief on judgment and memory, even decades after a loss. The statement came in reaction to claims in an upcoming book by Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, which allege that the then-Prince Charles made disparaging remarks about the late princess.
The comments, attributed to King Charles, were reportedly made during a heated phone call with Earl Spencer in the days following Diana’s death. The conversation centered on whether their sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, should walk behind Diana’s coffin during her funeral procession. Earl Spencer opposed the plan, while the then-Prince of Wales reportedly insisted on it.
Immediate Response and Core Facts
On September 17, 2025, Buckingham Palace issued a statement addressing claims published in Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, an upcoming memoir by Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl of Spencer. The book is set to be serialized in the Daily Mail starting September 18.
The statement from a Buckingham Palace spokesperson 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.”
The alleged comments by King Charles were reported as follows: During a phone call with Earl Spencer, the then-Prince of Wales reportedly said, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.” The remark was made in the context of a dispute over whether Prince William (15) and Prince Harry (12) should participate in their mother’s funeral procession on September 6, 1997.
Context and Background
Princess Diana died on August 31, 1997, at age 36, following a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris. Her partner, Dodi Al-Fayed, and the driver, Henri Paul, also died in the incident. The crash occurred as paparazzi on motorbikes pursued the vehicle.
Earl Spencer, who delivered the eulogy at Diana’s funeral, has stated that his book aims to present his perspective on Diana’s life and legacy, emphasizing her positive qualities. He has described the alleged remarks by King Charles as reflecting “his pent-up contempt for Diana, and his horror that the world was so bowled over by her death.”
Buckingham Palace has historically avoided public responses to books or memoirs about the royal family, including Prince Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare, which contained multiple claims about King Charles and other royals.
Official and Personal Perspectives
Buckingham Palace’s position, as articulated in the statement, frames the alleged remarks as a possible consequence of grief and emotional distress. The statement does not directly address the accuracy of the claims but instead highlights the potential impact of loss on perception and memory.
Earl Spencer has described the book as an effort to correct perceived untruths about his sister and to share his personal recollections of her life and death. He has emphasized that the memoir is written from his perspective as her brother and is intended to honor her memory.
The timing of the response coincides with the upcoming release of the memoir and follows the recent return of Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan, and their children to the UK from California, which has drawn renewed public attention to the royal family.
Key Dates and Events
- August 31, 1997: Princess Diana dies in a car crash in Paris.
- September 6, 1997: Diana’s funeral is held; Prince William and Prince Harry walk behind her coffin.
- September 16–18, 2025: Excerpts from Swan Song: Diana, My Sister are published in the Daily Mail; Buckingham Palace issues a rare statement in response.
- September 17, 2025: Buckingham Palace spokesperson issues the statement regarding the alleged remarks.
The article will be updated as additional details become available.