Earl Spencer Doubles Down on King Charles Claims, Hints at 'Jaw-Dropping' Secrets in New Memoir

When Prince Harry published his memoir in 2023, the royal family faced a barrage of internal grievances aired by a disgruntled son, but the 9th Earl Spencer’s new book presents a different kind of challenge: a peer outside the immediate Windsor fold who claims to hold a 29-year-old receipt. Released on September 22, Charles Spencer’s memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, has reignited a bitter dispute with King Charles III. The conflict centers on a contentious 1997 phone call in the days following Princess Diana's death, a moment that has remained a flashpoint between the Spencer family and the monarchy.[1][2]

According to the memoir, the argument erupted over the funeral arrangements for the late Princess. Spencer alleges that he strongly opposed the Palace's plan to have Princes William and Harry—then aged 15 and 12—walk behind their mother's coffin in a public procession. During the ensuing telephone exchange, Spencer claims the then-Prince of Wales sounded "giddily elated" and hissed, "Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough."[1][2]

The publication of those specific quotes prompted a rare departure from the monarchy's standard policy of ignoring unauthorized biographies. On September 16, Buckingham Palace issued a statement asserting 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 response immediately escalated the conflict, drawing a direct and highly public rebuke from the Earl.[1][2]

In a series of broadcast interviews promoting the book's release, Spencer doubled down on his account, accusing the King of "gaslighting" him. "It is not every day you wake up to find you've been gaslit by the King," Spencer remarked to the press, calling the Palace's statement "astonishingly provocative and below the belt."[1][2]

To bolster his claim of accuracy, Spencer noted that he had only spoken to Charles by telephone twice in his entire life, making the 1997 exchange unforgettable. He further characterized the official response as a "rather poor imitation of the 'recollections may vary' quote," referencing the late Queen Elizabeth II's famous diplomatic dismissal of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's claims in 2021.[1][2]

The memoir's rollout has dominated global headlines, with commentators noting the highly strategic nature of the revelations. While the book is framed as a tribute to his sister, Spencer has made it clear that he possesses even more damaging information about his former brother-in-law that did not make the final manuscript.[2][3]

He hinted that if he had wanted to write a scandalous tell-all about the King, "it would really be a jaw dropper." However, he maintained that he took a "very clear line" during the editing process to only include stories that provided necessary context for Diana's life, suggesting the Palace should be grateful for his restraint.[2]

For the publishing industry, the resulting media storm represents a massive promotional victory, transforming a historical memoir into a live, unfolding conflict. The Palace has so far declined to comment further on Spencer's latest media appearances, leaving the public to weigh the Earl's "eyewitness to history" defense against the monarchy's assertion of clouded memories.[1][3]