Charles Spencer reveals alleged King Charles remark about Princess Diana

Charles Spencer recalls an alleged remark by King Charles about Princess Diana in his upcoming memoir, Swan Song

Charles Spencer has recalled a conversation with then-Prince Charles following the 1997 death of his sister, Princess Diana, in his upcoming memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.

A preview of the book, published by the Daily Mail on September 16, details a disagreement between Spencer and Prince Charles over whether Prince William and Prince Harry, then 15 and 12, should walk behind their mother’s coffin during her funeral procession.

According to Spencer’s account, he had objected to the brothers taking part after being informed of the plan by a royal aide. He later received a phone call from Prince Charles, during which the discussion became heated.

Spencer writes that Prince Charles eventually made a remark about Diana that left him stunned. According to the memoir, he told Spencer, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.”

Spencer says he responded that he could not believe the former Prince of Wales had made the comment before ending the call. Buckingham Palace did not comment on the account.

William and Harry previously discussed their decision to walk behind Diana’s coffin in the 2017 BBC documentary Diana, 7 Days. William described it as a collective family decision, while Spencer has previously explained that he was concerned about Harry taking part in the procession.

Swan Song: Diana, My Sister is scheduled for publication on September 22. Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, said the memoir is his most personal book and aims to present Diana’s story from his perspective.

The book marks the first time Spencer has discussed his late sister at length. Its publication has also attracted attention after the Daily Mail reported that four copies were stolen from a delivery truck in the Netherlands ahead of release.