Charles Spencer examines a persistent question: has the world had too much of his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales? Her life continues to spark interest nearly 30 years after her tragic passing. Spencer’s latest work, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, published by Penguin Press, revisits Diana’s impactful story.
The book reveals a conversation Spencer claims occurred with Diana’s ex-husband, now King Charles, after her death. Spencer recalls Charles saying ominously, ‘We’ll forget her soon enough.’ This moment surprised Spencer, who couldn’t believe what he heard.
Diana’s story is well-known. At 19, she became the bride of Prince Charles. Their fairy-tale wedding led to a tumultuous marriage, a bitter divorce, and her tragic car crash in Paris. It captivated global audiences. Yet, Spencer’s book provides a personal perspective as the 30th anniversary of her death approaches. He felt compelled to share his account after numerous requests for book and documentary contributions.
Diana’s Divisive Legacy
Diana’s legacy divides opinions. Some view her as revitalizing the royal image, while others see her as a disruptor threatening royal traditions. Spencer argues that critics misunderstood Diana’s unique influence. He suggests that British establishment figures struggled with her unpredictable yet brilliant presence, referring to her challenges with ‘men in gray suits’ from the royal family.
As the 9th Earl Spencer, Charles Spencer comes from a family loyal to the crown. But Diana’s story altered this dynamic. Speaking at Althorp, the family estate, Spencer suggested Diana’s unexpected prominence sparked jealousy, beginning during her first royal tour in Australia. Her popularity often overshadowed Charles, complicating their marriage. Additionally, Charles maintained a relationship with Camilla, now Queen, which further strained his marriage with Diana.
Responses to King Charles’s Depiction
In the book, King Charles doesn’t appear favorably. Spencer recalls a phone call from Charles post-Diana’s death, where he sounded unusually upbeat. Spencer speculates this might relate to Charles feeling free to pursue Camilla, although he cannot definitively comprehend Charles’s emotions at the time.
“I stand today as the representative of a family in grief.”
Spencer’s eulogy at Diana’s 1997 funeral painted him as the guardian of her memory and her children, particularly after they were made to walk behind her coffin. This decision seemed absurd and harsh to Spencer, who thought it barbaric. He learned there was concern about potential public hostility toward Charles during the procession. Spencer felt misled about the decision designed to shield Charles from public backlash.
Reflecting on conversations with his nephews, Spencer respectfully refrained from sharing details but claimed to know the truth of the events. He pondered how the past might influence Prince Harry’s current challenges with the family and media, suggesting a link between their mother’s tragic death and Harry’s present situation. Spencer wonders if more empathetic handling of Harry’s grief could have led to better outcomes.
When asked what kind of queen Diana might have been had circumstances allowed, Spencer shared that her charisma and influence would have greatly benefited Britain.
Further Information:
- Swan Song: Diana, My Sister by Charles Spencer, available Sept. 22 from Penguin Press in various formats, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org.