'I am telling the truth': Earl Spencer doubles down as Buckingham Palace refuses to respond to fresh 'forget her' claims

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Prince Harry pictured with his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, whose brother's memoir claims King Charles sounded "giddily elated — like a lottery winner" when he rang Spencer hours after her 1997 death.

Queen Elizabeth II, whose offer to restore Princess Diana's royal title on the day of her funeral was rejected by Earl Spencer as a meaningless "consolation prize," according to his new memoir.

An Lochan Uaine in the Cairngorms. King Charles III's memoir battle with Earl Spencer includes the claim that he sounded "giddily elated — like a lottery winner" when he rang Spencer after Diana's death.

Earl Spencer stood firm on his claim that King Charles told him "we'll forget her soon enough" days after Diana's death, telling the BBC: "Those are exactly the words he said." The alleged remark — made during an argument over whether William and Harry should walk in the funeral procession — is drawn from Spencer's memoir 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister'. After a Palace statement suggested "fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgement and colour memory", Spencer shot back: "Is he furious, or is he embarrassed?"

Spencer said he told family and friends about the comment at the time "because it was so monstrous."

On the Palace's carefully worded rebuttal, Spencer mocked: "They've said that recollections may vary."

Buckingham Palace declined to respond to Spencer's fresh defiance, leaving the war of words unresolved.

BBC NewsEarl Spencer's Diana book opens old wounds royals would rather forget The GuardianEarl Spencer doubles down on claims about ‘monstrous’ call with King Charles after Diana’s death The IndependentEarl Spencer insists ‘I am telling the truth’ after backlash over Charles’ alleged comments on Diana’s death

Read today's full feed at The Newshound →