Prince Harry is reportedly aware of some of the revelations in his uncle Charles Spencer’s upcoming memoir about Princess Diana, but there is no clear public confirmation that Prince William was given the same advance details.
Charles Spencer, Diana’s younger brother and the maternal uncle of Prince William and Prince Harry, is preparing to release his highly personal memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. The book is scheduled for publication on September 22, 2026, and has already attracted significant attention because of its claims about Diana’s final years, her relationship with King Charles and the aftermath of her death.
According to a report by Page Six, Harry was allegedly informed about parts of the book before its publication. Sources cited by the outlet claimed that Harry discussed the memoir with Spencer during a family visit to Diana’s burial place in July.
That reported conversation has added another layer of interest because Spencer’s memoir contains deeply personal accounts surrounding Diana’s death and funeral. The book reportedly revisits the decision for the young William and Harry to walk behind their mother’s coffin during her funeral procession in 1997.
Spencer has previously spoken about his discomfort with the decision, particularly because William was 15 and Harry was only 12 when Diana died. His forthcoming memoir reportedly returns to that painful period from his own perspective.
One of the most significant claims in the book concerns an alleged conversation between Spencer and the then Prince Charles shortly after Diana’s death. Spencer reportedly recalls a tense discussion about the funeral arrangements and claims Charles made a remark suggesting Diana would eventually be forgotten. The claim has prompted a response from Buckingham Palace, which pointed to the way grief can affect memory and judgment.
The controversy has therefore placed renewed attention on the relationship between the Spencer family and the royal household. Spencer has said the memoir is intended to present his personal perspective on Diana’s life and legacy rather than simply revisit old royal disputes.
Harry’s reported prior knowledge is particularly notable because he has already discussed his mother’s funeral and the emotional impact of walking behind her coffin in his own memoir, Spare. His reported conversation with Spencer could mean that at least some of the new material was not entirely unexpected to him.
However, claims about Prince William knowing the memoir’s contents in advance should be treated more cautiously. Current reporting specifically identifies Harry as having discussed the book with Spencer, while there is no comparable public confirmation establishing that William had been given an advance briefing on the memoir’s revelations.
The timing of the book has also intensified interest. With the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death approaching in 2027, Spencer’s account is expected to attract considerable attention as the royal family continues to navigate public interest in Diana’s legacy.
For William and Harry, the memoir could therefore reopen memories of one of the most difficult periods of their childhood, while also bringing renewed scrutiny to their family history.
Key Takeaways
- Prince Harry is reportedly aware of some contents of Charles Spencer’s upcoming Diana memoir before its release.
- The reported conversation between Harry and Spencer took place during a family visit to Diana’s burial site in July, according to Page Six.
- There is currently no clear public confirmation that Prince William received the same advance information.
- Spencer’s memoir reportedly contains claims about Diana’s final years, her funeral and an alleged conversation with the then Prince Charles.
- Swan Song: Diana, My Sister is scheduled to be published on September 22, 2026.
- The book is expected to renew public discussion about Princess Diana’s legacy and the experiences of her sons following her death.
