King Charles has responded to renewed criticism from Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, bringing fresh attention to painful events surrounding the Princess of Wales’s death in 1997.
The unusual response from the Palace comes as Spencer prepares to publish his forthcoming memoir about his sister. In the book, he reportedly revisits conversations and disagreements that followed Diana’s death, including the highly emotional discussions surrounding her funeral.
According to the account reported by Reuters, Spencer recalls a disagreement involving whether Diana’s sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, should walk behind their mother’s coffin during the funeral procession. Spencer had objected to the idea at the time, while the issue became part of the wider debate surrounding the family’s handling of Diana’s death.
Spencer’s memoir also reportedly describes a conversation with the then Prince Charles in which he alleges that a deeply insensitive remark was made about Diana being forgotten. The account is Spencer’s recollection of events from nearly three decades ago and is presented from his personal perspective.
In response to the criticism, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson pointed to the possible effects of grief on a person’s reason, judgment and memory. The response did not directly engage with every detail contained in Spencer’s account.
The exchange has attracted attention because public statements from the Royal Family about disputed memories surrounding Princess Diana remain relatively unusual. Diana’s death continues to hold a significant place in the history of the British monarchy, particularly because of the lasting impact it had on William and Harry.
Princess Diana died in a Paris car crash in August 1997 at the age of 36. At the time, she had already become one of the most recognisable members of the British Royal Family. Her marriage to then-Prince Charles had ended in divorce the previous year.
Charles Spencer has said his memoir is intended to offer his own account of Diana’s life and to preserve memories of his sister. The book is expected to bring further discussion about Diana’s personal life, her relationship with the Royal Family and the events surrounding her final years.
For King Charles, the renewed discussion places a decades-old family dispute back into the public spotlight. However, the Palace’s response indicates that memories of intensely emotional events can differ significantly depending on the perspective of those involved.
Key Takeaways
- King Charles has responded through a Palace spokesperson to criticism linked to Charles Spencer’s forthcoming memoir.
- Spencer reportedly revisits disagreements surrounding Princess Diana’s funeral and the role of Prince William and Prince Harry.
- The memoir contains Spencer’s personal recollection of a conversation with the then Prince Charles following Diana’s death.
- Buckingham Palace highlighted how grief can affect judgment, reason and memory when responding to the account.
- The latest exchange has renewed public interest in Princess Diana’s legacy and the events surrounding her death.
Source context: Reuters, September 16, 2026. Claims concerning private conversations are attributed to Charles Spencer’s forthcoming memoir and should be understood as his recollection rather than independently established facts.
