Buckingham Palace Rebuts Earl Spencer’s Claims Regarding King Charles Following Princess Diana’s Death

Earl Spencer has sparked intense controversy with revelations in his forthcoming memoir, alleging that King Charles appeared "giddily elated" during a telephone conversation immediately following the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997. The allegations, which present an intensely critical interpretation of the monarch's behavior, have prompted an unusually direct and public rebuttal from Buckingham Palace regarding the accuracy and tone of the recollections.

According to serialized excerpts from the book, the late princess’s brother claims that the then-Prince of Wales sounded remarkably buoyant when calling to discuss the fatal car crash in Paris. Earl Spencer wrote that Charles's manner during the call stood in sharp contrast to the profound shock expressed by others, describing the royal as sounding like a "lottery winner" in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.

Buckingham Palace moved swiftly to counter the credibility of the narrative presented in the memoir. Palace officials pushed back against the portrayal of King Charles, noting that while the institution generally refrains from commenting on published books as a matter of policy, the nature of these specific assertions required clarification regarding the reliability of long-past recollections.

In an official statement addressing the claims, a palace spokesperson underscored the profound psychological impact of profound personal loss. The spokesperson noted that His Majesty is acutely aware of how the enduring pain of fraternal grief can cloud human reason, impair judgment, and fundamentally color memories in ways that other people involved in the same events do not recognize, particularly across a span of several decades.

The disputed claims form part of Earl Spencer's upcoming volume, titled *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister*, which is scheduled for publication next week. Prior to the latest revelations regarding the phone call, earlier excerpts from the work had already stirred tensions by alleging that Charles once stated Diana would be forgotten "soon enough," an account the palace had previously rejected.

In recounting the timeline of events from August 31, 1997, Earl Spencer detailed how he first learned of the catastrophic incident in France while staying at his residence in Cape Town, South Africa. He was initially awakened in the middle of the night by a telephone call from his sister Jane, who alerted him to the developing crisis.

As further calls followed to confirm the devastating reality of Diana's passing, Earl Spencer notes that he spoke directly with the Prince of Wales. The memoir contrasts Charles’s alleged demeanor with that of other contacts who reached out that morning, whom Spencer described as completely stunned, devastated, and barely capable of finding the words to express their condolences or offer assistance.

During that same conversation, Charles reportedly informed Earl Spencer that he had already broken the tragic news to Princes William and Harry. The prince told him that he had gone into the young boys' bedrooms early that morning at the Balmoral estate in Scotland to inform them that their mother had died.

The release of these excerpts has placed the Royal Family under renewed media scrutiny, bringing private interactions from nearly thirty years ago back into the public sphere. Representatives for Prince Harry have formally declined to comment on the contents of the book, while Buckingham Palace has maintained its position by pointing to its initial statements dismissing the veracity of the claims.

The contents of the memoir represent some of the most personal attacks leveled against King Charles by Diana's family in recent years. By framing the royal family's actions and motives through an exceptionally critical lens, the book relies almost entirely on Earl Spencer's personal memory of interactions that took place during a period of immense emotional turmoil following his sister's untimely death.

Beyond the events of 1997, the memoir delves into the turbulent history of the royal marriage, which officially ended in divorce in August 1996. Earl Spencer alleges that difficulties began before the couple even walked down the aisle, citing a friend of Diana who claimed Charles told her on the eve of their July 1981 wedding that while he was happy to marry her, he was not in love with her.

Earl Spencer notes that the royal union became exceptionally challenging very early on, observing that both partners experienced deep moments of despair regarding the state of their relationship. The memoir paints a picture of two individuals caught in a deeply unhappy dynamic that rapidly deteriorated over the subsequent years.

In offering his own retrospective view on Diana's personal struggles, Earl Spencer writes that he now believes his late sister suffered from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He further suggests that she experienced Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, which he characterizes as an overwhelming and severe emotional agony brought on by perceived criticism or rejection from others.

The book also reveals the depth of Diana's psychological distress during her later years, claiming that the princess contemplated ending her own life on more than one occasion. However, Earl Spencer emphasizes that her enduring devotion and profound love for her two young sons consistently prevented her from taking such drastic action.

As the publication date approaches, questions remain over how both historians and the general public will receive the memoir's sensational claims. Observers note that while some readers may welcome Earl Spencer's perspective as an authentic insider account of his sister's life and death, others may view the publication of such intimate and unverified family disputes as entirely inappropriate.