A new memoir by Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s younger brother, has brought renewed attention to a private conversation involving King Charles shortly after Diana’s death.
The account appears in Spencer’s upcoming book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. An excerpt published by the Daily Mail on September 16 describes an emotional telephone conversation between Spencer and Charles following Diana’s death in 1997.
Buckingham Palace has now responded to the claims.
What Charles Spencer Says About the Conversation
According to the memoir excerpt, Spencer recalled a heated exchange with Charles in the aftermath of Diana’s death.
Spencer described Charles as angry during the phone call. He also wrote that the conversation eventually turned toward Diana and the public reaction to her death.
The memoir claims that Charles told Spencer, “We’ll forget her soon enough!”
The statement has attracted attention because of the timing. Diana died on August 31, 1997, and her death prompted an extraordinary public response in the United Kingdom and around the world.
However, the remark is presented as Spencer’s recollection of a private conversation many years ago. It is not independently established by the excerpt alone.
Buckingham Palace Responds to the Diana Claim
The palace has not confirmed the specific conversation described by Spencer.
Instead, a spokesperson addressed the broader issue of Spencer’s account and the way memories surrounding Diana’s death may have been affected by grief.
The statement emphasized that the palace does not normally comment on books as a matter of principle. It also noted that grief can affect judgment and memory, particularly when a painful event happened many years earlier.
That response does not directly confirm or deny Spencer’s recollection.
Why Princess Diana’s Funeral Remains Significant
The disagreement described in Spencer’s memoir was reportedly connected to the decision for Diana’s sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, to walk behind their mother’s coffin during her funeral procession.
At the time, William was 15 and Harry was 12.
The decision has remained a significant part of discussions about Diana’s funeral and the experience of her two sons.
Years later, both William and Harry discussed the procession in the 2017 BBC documentary Diana, 7 Days.
William described the decision as a collective family choice. He also reflected on the difficult balance between family and public duty.
Harry similarly said he did not have a strong view on whether the decision had been right or wrong. He said he was ultimately glad that he had taken part.
Charles Spencer’s Memoir Revisits Diana’s Legacy
Charles Spencer has spoken and written about his sister’s life and death on numerous occasions.
His latest book offers another personal perspective on the events surrounding Diana’s death and its aftermath.
Because the memoir deals with private memories, readers should distinguish between Spencer’s account and independently documented historical facts.
The latest palace response also leaves the central recollection disputed rather than presenting a definitive account of what was said during the conversation.
Diana’s Death Changed the Royal Family
Diana died in Paris at the age of 36 after a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel.
Her death led to an enormous public outpouring of grief. It also became a defining moment for the British royal family.
The events surrounding her funeral, including the involvement of William and Harry, have continued to receive public attention decades later.
Spencer’s memoir now places one private family conversation back into that wider historical context.
What the New Memoir Adds to the Story
The significance of the excerpt lies largely in its personal perspective.
Official records can document major events surrounding Diana’s death and funeral. A memoir, however, provides an individual’s recollection of private experiences.
That makes Spencer’s account relevant to readers interested in Diana’s family and the royal family’s history. At the same time, the passage should be understood as a personal recollection rather than proof of every detail of the conversation.
The palace’s carefully worded response highlights that distinction.