Buckingham Palace has responded to a controversial claim about Princess Diana made in her brother Charles Spencer’s upcoming memoir. On September 16, 2026, the Daily Mail published an excerpt from Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, in which Charles Spencer talks about an argument with then-Prince Charles shortly after Diana died on August 31, 1997. According to Spencer’s words, Charles allegedly told him, “We’ll forget her soon enough.”
Spencer shared that the heated conversation began with a discussion about Prince William and Prince Harry, who were 15 and 12 at the time, walking behind their mother’s coffin during her funeral procession. He claims the then prince expressed anger during the call before addressing Diana. Spencer’s memoir, expected to be published on September 22, 2026, marks the first time he has spoken openly and extensively about the late Princess.
Princess Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, claims King Charles III once said the late Princess Diana would soon be forgotten following her death in 1997.
— According to Spencer, the King told him during a phone call, “Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough.” pic.twitter.com/2qcf9sQJir
— Pop Core (@TheePopCore) September 16, 2026
“I assumed the pause signaled an effort to bring himself under control, but then he unleashed down the phone what I have always taken to be his pent-up contempt for Diana, and his horror that the world was so bowled over by her death,” Spencer says in his book. “ ‘Rest assured,’ he hissed, ‘we’ll forget her soon enough!’ ”
A palace spokesperson issued a statement after the excerpt was published, saying that the King generally does not comment on books about the royal family, but noted that grief between brothers can affect judgment and memory. However, the statement did not directly confirm or deny Spencer’s story.
“While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and color memory in ways others do not recognize, even many years after such a loss.”
Meanwhile, Swang Song: Diana, My Sister arrives as the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death approaches. The memoir is based on Spencer’s recollections of his relationship with his sister and the aftermath of her death. Describing his work, the late Princess’ brother said:
“The aim of this book is to tell the truth about Diana from her brother’s perspective, just as I attempted to do when speaking at her funeral. As with my eulogy, I want to speak on Diana’s behalf and do so in an openly positive way.”
