New claims attributed to King Charles III regarding his feelings about Princess Diana shortly after her death in 1997 have ignited a significant debate, with Earl Charles Spencer’s forthcoming book, “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,” at the center of the controversy. The book, slated for release next week, promises to offer a personal account of the late Princess of Wales’s life and death from the perspective of her brother, Earl Spencer.

Explosive Allegations Surface

Excerpts from Earl Spencer’s book, reportedly published by the Daily Mail, include a striking allegation about a conversation with the then-Prince Charles, now King Charles III. According to the book, King Charles told Earl Spencer, just days after Diana’s passing, that “we’ll forget her soon enough.” This alleged remark has been met with strong denials from Buckingham Palace.

The book’s title, “Swan Song,” suggests a poignant and potentially final reflection on Diana’s life and the impact of her death. The narrative is expected to delve into the Spencer family’s experiences and perspectives surrounding the tragic events of August 1997, offering a contrast to accounts that have focused more on the Royal Family’s internal dynamics.

Palace Response and Counterarguments

Buckingham Palace has issued a carefully worded statement in response to the allegations. While generally adhering to a policy of not commenting on book releases, the Palace acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation. The statement read: “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 judgement and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss.”

This statement, described as “highly unusual” by some observers, indicates the depth of the Palace’s concern regarding the claims made in Earl Spencer’s book. Julian Payne, who previously served as the King’s communications secretary, also publicly stated that the alleged comments attributed to the monarch were “just not language that I recognise.” He suggested that the King’s character is one of deep compassion, and that any such remarks would have been made during a period of immense personal grief for the King himself, as well as for his two sons, Prince William and Prince William.

Public Figures Weigh In

The controversy has drawn commentary from various public figures, including broadcaster Piers Morgan. Morgan took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to his astonishment at the revelations. He described the bombshells within the book as “off the charts” and later shared specific passages he claimed were “deliberately aimed” at the monarch.

One shared excerpt from the book describes a phone call with Prince Charles shortly after Diana’s death: “Unlike my other callers, who were stunned, barely able to articulate their condolences and offers of help, he sounded giddily elated – like a lottery winner, I remember thinking at the time.” Another fragment quoted in Morgan’s posts allegedly reveals a conversation between Diana and Earl Spencer, where she confided, “But, Carlos, my husband is in love with his valet.”

Morgan characterized these claims as “incendiary” and declared the situation an “open Royal war now” between the Spencer family and the Windsors. He suggested that the intent behind these specific passages was to significantly damage King Charles’s public reputation.

Context and Historical Perspective

Princess Diana’s death in a Paris car crash on August 31, 1997, sent shockwaves around the world and deeply affected the British Royal Family and the public. The aftermath involved intense scrutiny of the Royal Family’s response and Princess Diana’s personal life.

Earl Spencer’s book, “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,” is positioned to revisit these sensitive events through the lens of a sibling’s grief and memory. The book’s release is anticipated to reignite public interest and discussion surrounding Diana’s legacy and the complex relationships within the Royal Family during that period.

The allegations, particularly the alleged comment about forgetting Diana, stand in stark contrast to the public image of King Charles, who has often been portrayed as a devoted father and a man of deep personal conviction. The Palace’s strong, albeit indirect, rebuttal underscores the perceived deviation of these claims from his known character and the emotional context of the time.

Anticipation and Potential Impact

As “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister” prepares for its launch, the book is expected to generate considerable media attention and public discussion. The contrasting narratives—one from Earl Spencer’s personal account and the other from the Palace’s defense of the King’s character—are likely to fuel ongoing debate about the events surrounding Princess Diana’s death and the personal dynamics within the Royal Family.

The book’s success in the market will be closely watched, as will any further reactions from the Spencer family or the Royal Household. The claims, whether ultimately accepted or refuted, have already succeeded in bringing the complex emotional landscape of the Royal Family during a period of profound loss back into the public spotlight.

Ultimately, the narrative presented in Earl Spencer’s book and the responses it elicits will contribute to the ongoing historical record and public perception of Princess Diana, her family, and the monarchy during a pivotal moment in recent British history.