King Charles III allegedly told Princess Diana’s brother that the late royal would be “forgotten soon enough” in a tense phone call following her death in 1997, according to an upcoming memoir by Charles Spencer.
The claim appears in Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, written by Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer and Diana’s younger brother. An excerpt from the book was published ahead of its official release on September 22.
Spencer alleges that the then-Prince Charles expressed what he describes as “pent-up contempt for Diana” during a heated conversation in the days after her death.
According to the memoir, Charles allegedly told him: “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.”
Spencer writes that he was so shocked by the remark that he responded, “I can’t believe you just said that,” before ending the call.
The allegation has prompted an unusually direct response from Buckingham Palace, although the palace did not explicitly confirm or deny the account.
Buckingham Palace Responds to the Claim
A Buckingham Palace representative told Page Six that the institution does not generally comment on books as a matter of principle.
The spokesperson added that the King was aware that grief could affect how people remember emotionally difficult events.
“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 statement said.
The wording appeared to challenge the reliability of Spencer’s recollection without directly addressing whether the alleged conversation took place.
The comments also reflect the sensitivity surrounding the events that followed Diana’s death, which remain a deeply emotional subject for the British royal family and the public.
Dispute Over Diana’s Funeral Procession
Spencer’s account reportedly centres on a disagreement over whether Diana’s sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, should walk behind their mother’s coffin during her funeral procession.
At the time, William was 15 and Harry was 12.
Spencer claims he objected to the idea, believing that Diana would not have wanted her young sons to endure such a highly publicised and emotionally difficult procession so soon after her death.
He also recalls receiving a call from an aide to Queen Elizabeth II, who allegedly informed him that the boys would participate.
“That’s not going to happen,” Spencer reportedly replied.
The princes ultimately walked behind Diana’s coffin alongside Spencer, their father and Prince Philip during the funeral procession on September 6, 1997.
The event was watched by millions around the world and became one of the most remembered moments in modern British royal history.
Diana’s Death and Her Relationship With Charles
Diana died at the age of 36 in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997.
She was travelling with her partner, Dodi Fayed, and driver Henri Paul when the vehicle crashed inside the Pont de l’Alma tunnel while being pursued by paparazzi.
Diana’s death triggered an unprecedented public outpouring of grief and placed intense scrutiny on the royal family’s response.
Her marriage to Charles had already ended in divorce in 1996 following years of public tension and reports of extramarital affairs.
The couple had married in a highly publicised ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral in London in 1981. Their relationship later deteriorated, becoming one of the most closely followed royal marriages of the twentieth century.
Spencer’s memoir reportedly explores the marriage, the breakdown of the relationship and the events surrounding Diana’s final days.
A Memoir Focused on Diana’s Legacy
Swan Song: Diana, My Sister is expected to present Diana’s life and death from her brother’s perspective.
Spencer has previously said that he wanted to address what he considers inaccurate accounts of his sister and provide a more personal portrait of her character.
The book is expected to cover Diana’s childhood, her marriage, her relationship with the media and the aftermath of her death.
The memoir is scheduled for publication on September 22.
Ahead of its release, four copies were reportedly stolen from a delivery truck in the Netherlands. The driver had stopped overnight when the vehicle was broken into.
The incident has added further attention to a book already generating significant interest because of its claims about the royal family.
Claims Remain Unverified
The alleged remark about Diana being forgotten has not been independently verified.
It is presented as Spencer’s recollection of a private conversation that took place nearly three decades ago. Buckingham Palace has not directly addressed the specific wording attributed to the King.
The account is therefore likely to remain part of the wider debate over how Diana’s death affected the royal family and how her legacy has been remembered.
As the memoir’s publication approaches, further excerpts may offer additional details about the relationship between Diana, Charles and the Spencer family during one of the most turbulent periods in modern royal history.
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