Princess Diana's Brother Claims King Charles Said She Would Soon Be Forgotten
Charles Spencer claims in his upcoming memoir that King Charles told him days after Princess Diana's death in 1997 that she would soon be forgotten, sparking a Buckingham Palace response.
Charles Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, claims in his upcoming memoir that King Charles—then the Prince of Wales—told him just days after her death: "Rest assured, she will soon be forgotten."
The book, titled "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister", is scheduled for release on September 22, 2026. Pre-publication excerpts focus heavily on the tense days following Diana's tragic passing and the fierce royal family disputes surrounding her funeral arrangements.
The Dispute Over William and Harry
According to Spencer, the controversial conversation took place amid a heated argument over whether Princes William and Harry—who were then just 15 and 12 years old—should walk behind their mother's coffin during the public procession.
Spencer asserts that he strongly opposed the idea, convinced that Diana would never have wanted her young sons to endure such a public ordeal. He describes the phone call with Charles as turning intensely angry, culminating in the alleged remark that she would soon be forgotten. Spencer recalls replying, "I can't believe you just said that," before slamming down the phone.
Buckingham Palace Responds
Buckingham Palace broke its usual silence regarding tell-all memoirs. In an official statement, the Palace noted that while it generally does not comment on books about the royal family, the King is mindful that:
"The pain of grief between brothers can cloud logic, affect judgment, and color memory."
The Palace notably stopped short of explicitly denying the explosive quote attributed to the monarch.
Years of Reflection from the Princes
Both of Diana's sons have spoken publicly over the years about the harrowing funeral march. Prince William revealed in a 2017 documentary that walking behind his mother's coffin was "one of the hardest things I've ever done."
Prince Harry has previously stated that no child should ever be asked to participate in such a grueling event, though he also offered a contrasting thought on another occasion, saying he was ultimately "very glad" to have been part of the historic farewell.
Princess Diana died on August 31, 1997, at the age of 36, following a devastating car crash in Paris. She and Charles married in 1981 and finalized their divorce in 1996.
