Princess Diana’s brother Charles Spencer has criticized the British royal family, arguing that it failed to recognize the opportunity his sister represented. His comments come as he publishes a new book ahead of the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death.
Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, has published Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, a personal account of his relationship with Diana and the events surrounding her life and death.
Speaking from the Spencer family’s Althorp estate in Northamptonshire, where Diana is buried, Spencer said he decided to write the book both because of his age and because the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death is approaching on August 31, 2027.
“I wanted, once and for all, for Diana’s sake and for my own, to set the record straight for posterity,” he said.
‘The royal family didn’t embrace the opportunity’
Spencer argues that Diana transformed the public image of the monarchy almost overnight following her marriage to then-Prince Charles in 1981.
Around 750 million people watched the wedding, turning Diana into an international celebrity and bringing unprecedented attention to the personal lives of the royal family.
According to Spencer, however, the institution struggled to understand the significance of Diana’s popularity.
“The tragedy for the royal family is that they didn’t embrace this enough,” he said, describing Diana as an opportunity that could have benefited the monarchy rather than a disruptive force.
Spencer also portrays his sister as a complex figure who combined a conventional upbringing with an instinctive ability to connect with major social issues.
He said Diana had received a poor education and that her learning difficulties had never been properly diagnosed. Nevertheless, he credited her with a natural ability to lead campaigns and draw attention to issues such as HIV and AIDS.
“She was brave,” Spencer said. “She had the heart of a lioness.”
‘She would still be relevant today’
Spencer believes Diana would have remained an influential public figure had she survived the 1997 crash in Paris.
He recalled a visit she made to him in Cape Town a few months before her death, when she told him she wanted to meet Nelson Mandela and work on AIDS-related issues in sub-Saharan Africa.
Spencer said Diana had a strong desire to remain involved in major causes even after her separation from Charles and her attempts to establish a more private life.
He also suggested that Diana might have been able to help repair the strained relationship between her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
“She was a wonderful mother and she would have done everything possible to resolve things,” he said.
Disputed conversation with King Charles
One of the most controversial passages in Spencer’s book concerns an alleged conversation with Charles shortly before Diana’s funeral.
Spencer says the then-Prince of Wales told him, referring to Diana, “We’ll soon forget her.”
The claim has attracted attention and Buckingham Palace has challenged Spencer’s recollection of events.
Spencer nevertheless stands by his account, saying he felt compelled to include the conversation because of its significance to his relationship with the royal family and his memories of Diana’s funeral.
He recalled that he had opposed William and Harry walking behind their mother’s coffin, describing the prospect as deeply distressing, while Charles insisted that they should take part.
Spencer said the alleged remark also influenced the closing words of the eulogy he delivered for Diana, when he said that she would never be extinguished from people’s minds.
“I knew it was going to cause controversy, but I also kept many things to myself that were borderline,” he said.
Spencer remains close to Harry
Spencer said he continues to maintain a relationship with both of Diana’s sons, although he does not speak to them every day.
He described his role as being available when they need him, particularly Harry, who brought his family to stay at Althorp during the summer.
“I’m here for when he needs a shoulder to cry on, or whatever. That’s what family is for,” Spencer said.
He described William and Harry as the two boys Diana left behind and said that, despite the passage of time, he still sees them through the lens of their mother’s death.
Spencer also reflected on Diana’s ability to connect with people beyond Britain, particularly in Spain, where he believes her warmth and emotional openness resonated strongly with the public.
For Spencer, Diana’s legacy is ultimately not limited to her position within the monarchy. He presents her as a woman whose public influence extended far beyond royal duties and whose approach to social causes helped reshape the relationship between the royal family and the public.
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