Diana's brother's book accuses the king anew

The story gains prominence with the release of excerpts from a memoir written by Earl Spencer, Princess Diana's brother. The book recounts phone calls and arguments with the then Prince of Wales in the days following the princess's death in Paris.

The accusations about the period after the death

In the book titled Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, the princess's brother claims that King Charles said "let's forget her quickly" during a dispute over Princes William and Harry's participation in the funeral procession. In another released passage, the author alleges that the king seemed "cheerfully euphoric" and compared his tone of voice to that of a lottery winner when making a phone call on the night of the accident that claimed the princess at thirty‑six years old.

The response from Buckingham Palace

Facing the allegations, Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying the king is aware that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud judgment, affect reasoning, and colour memory. The institution also reminded that recollections can vary. The author defended his claims in an exclusive interview, stating he is telling the truth and was hyper‑alert to the content of the phone conversations.

The historical context and impact on the monarchy

The new revelations bring to light the sensitive period and volatile atmosphere that surrounded the princess's death in August 1997. At the time, the royal family's initial response was criticised as insular, prompting a debate about a lack of empathy toward a public that regarded the royal figure as beloved in the United Kingdom and worldwide. The funeral procession included the children, who were then fifteen and twelve years old.

Other episodes cited in the publication

Beyond the phone calls, the work discusses the author's perception of his sister's unhappy relationship with Charles. The book mentions allegations that the princess found a bracelet bought for Camilla and that the king made a comment about its weight shortly after the engagement, described as devastating for someone suffering from an eating disorder.

With information from BBC, CNN.