Earl Spencer Reaffirms King Charles's Alleged 'Forget Her Soon' Remark

Earl Spencer has reaffirmed his assertion that King Charles III made a "monstrous" remark to him days after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, stating "rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough." These allegations were first detailed in Spencer's memoir, "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister," which has been serialized in the Daily Mail. The memoir's revelations prompted an unusual public response from Buckingham Palace, which issued a statement suggesting that "the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise." Spencer, however, has stood by his account, asserting that he is recounting the truth of the conversation.

The alleged phone call occurred in the immediate aftermath of Diana's death on August 31, 1997, following a car crash in Paris. Princess Diana, along with her companion Dodi Fayed and the driver Henri Paul, died in the incident. The subsequent investigation into the crash, led by French and British authorities, concluded that the driver was intoxicated and speeding, and that the paparazzi pursuing the vehicle contributed to the circumstances. The public reaction to Diana's death was immense, with widespread mourning and a significant outpouring of grief across the United Kingdom and globally. The handling of the royal family's response, including the decision to keep the princes away from London and the lowering of the Union Flag at Buckingham Palace, was a subject of considerable public debate at the time.

Earl Spencer's memoir, "Swan Song," delves into his relationship with his sister and his experiences within the royal family. The book's serialization has brought renewed attention to the dynamics between Diana and her relatives, particularly her brother, who was a staunch supporter of hers and famously delivered a eulogy at her funeral that was critical of the establishment. The controversy surrounding the alleged comment from King Charles highlights the enduring public interest in Diana's life and the events surrounding her death, as well as the complex relationships within the British monarchy. Spencer's decision to publicly reiterate his claim, despite the Palace's denial, underscores the deep personal impact of these events and the differing interpretations of memory and grief.

Buckingham Palace's direct rebuttal to a personal recollection from a member of the royal family is highly uncommon, indicating the sensitivity and significance of the claims made by Earl Spencer. The statement from the Palace suggests a deliberate effort to discredit Spencer's memory of the conversation, framing it as a product of emotional distress rather than an accurate recollection. This public disagreement between a senior royal and the brother of the late Princess of Wales has reignited discussions about the royal family's private interactions and their public image. The narrative presented by Spencer offers a starkly different perspective on the emotional climate within the royal family following Diana's passing, contrasting with the more formal public pronouncements made at the time.