Earl Spencer Sparks Royal Row with Claims Over King Charles’s Reaction to Princess Diana’s Death

A newly publicized memoir by Earl Spencer has ignited a major controversy within the British royal sphere after the brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, leveled stark allegations regarding the reaction of the then-Prince of Wales in the immediate aftermath of her fatal car crash in 1997. According to Spencer, the current monarch sounded remarkably cheerful during a telephone exchange just hours after the tragedy.

In excerpts from his forthcoming volume, titled *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister*, Spencer contends that King Charles appeared "giddily elated" when speaking to him on the phone. The earl further writes that the royal's overall demeanor felt akin to that of a "lottery winner," presenting a jarring contrast to the profound shock and sadness felt by others grieving the princess's untimely demise.

Buckingham Palace has responded with firm resistance to the claims, taking the rare step of addressing the upcoming publication directly. Palace officials moved swiftly to dispute the credibility of Spencer's recollections, seeking to counter the highly critical depiction of Charles during one of the modern monarchy's most delicate and tragic crises.

In a formal statement addressing the controversy, a Palace spokesperson emphasized that His Majesty is deeply aware that "the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss." The royal household noted that while it generally refrains from commenting on books as a fundamental principle, it felt compelled to address the characterization.

The memoir recounts the harrowing moments of August 31, 1997, when Spencer was initially informed of the Paris car crash while staying at his residence in Cape Town, South Africa. He describes being awoken during the middle of the night by a frantic telephone call from his sister, Lady Jane, which began a devastating sequence of updates that eventually confirmed Diana's death.

As subsequent calls began pouring in to his South African home, Spencer observed a distinct difference between the reaction of the then-Prince Charles and those of other contacts. The earl notes that while other callers were utterly stunned and struggled to articulate basic condolences or practical offers of support, Charles's voice struck him as startlingly upbeat.

During that same phone conversation, Charles reportedly shared logistical updates regarding his sons, informing Spencer that he had broken the tragic news of Diana's passing to Prince William and Prince Harry first thing that morning within their private bedrooms at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

The dispute over the phone call follows an earlier extract from the book that triggered initial Palace rebuttals earlier in the week. In that earlier disclosure, Spencer alleged that Charles had made a dismissive comment regarding Diana's legacy shortly after her death, reportedly remarking to the effect that the public and the family would forget her soon enough.

Other prominent members of the royal circle have kept their distance from the emerging dispute. Representatives for Prince Harry have formally declined to provide commentary on the revelations contained within his uncle's memoir, while Buckingham Palace has maintained its initial stance, reiterating its thorough rejection of the author's narrative.

Beyond the events surrounding the 1997 Paris crash, the book delves extensively into the troubled history of Charles and Diana's marriage, which formally concluded in divorce in August 1996. Spencer claims that a close friend of Diana had informed him of a striking comment Charles allegedly made on the eve of their high-profile July 1981 royal wedding, stating he was pleased to marry her but was not genuinely in love.

According to Spencer's account, difficulties between the newlyweds surfaced almost immediately after their nuptials. The earl writes that conditions within the royal partnership deteriorated rapidly, acknowledging that both Charles and Diana experienced profound moments of despair regarding the viability and emotional strain of their union.

Spencer also shares his contemporary understanding of his sister's complex mental health challenges, writing that he now believes Diana suffered from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He reflects on how this neurodivergent condition may have heavily influenced her psychological well-being and her navigation of life in the intense royal spotlight.

As an extension of this ADHD diagnosis, the author posits that Diana suffered from Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. Spencer defines this condition as an overwhelming, intense emotional agony triggered by perceived or actual rejection and harsh criticism from those around her, which severely magnified the emotional tribulations she endured during her royal life.

The memoir details even darker periods of the princess's private anguish, with Spencer disclosing that Diana contemplated taking her own life on more than one occasion during her later years. However, the earl emphasizes that her profound, unwavering maternal love for William and Harry consistently prevented her from acting on those suicidal impulses.

The claims put forth in *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister* represent an intensely personal offensive against King Charles and the broader royal establishment, framing their past motives and behaviors in an exceptionally harsh light. The accounts rely entirely on Spencer's personal memory of events and conversations that transpired nearly three decades ago.

The impending release of the full book next week leaves open questions regarding how the broader public will receive these intimate disclosures. Observers note that audience reactions may be divided between those who welcome a fresh, distinctive perspective from the Spencer family and those who view the public airing of decades-old private grievances as unwarranted.