Earl Charles Spencer responded to Buckingham Palace after disputing his account of a conversation with King Charles III. In his upcoming memoir, Spencer details a heated exchange with the King following Princess Diana’s death.
Spencer claimed Charles said, “We’ll forget her soon enough!” regarding Diana. Buckingham Palace challenged Spencer’s account, suggesting grief might have influenced his memory.
Spencer expressed surprise at the palace’s denial, stating, “It is not every day you wake up to find you’ve been gaslit by the king.” He criticized the palace’s reaction as a way to imply he lied.
The Earl highlighted the palace’s approach as reminiscent of their “recollections may vary” statement following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Spencer recalled a phone conversation with Charles six days after Diana’s passing in August 1997. He alleged Charles voiced pent-up grievances about Diana during that time.
The disagreement also involved Prince William and Harry walking behind Diana’s casket, a decision opposed by Spencer.
Buckingham Palace stated, “The pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and color memory,” according to People.
During a BBC interview, Spencer insisted he accurately recalled Charles’s words because of infrequent communications with him. He explained that he shared Charles’s comments with family and friends due to their impact.
Spencer addressed whether the public should trust his version over the King’s. He responded, “I’m telling the truth.” When questioned about his nephews’ views, he suggested they were aware of his account.
Princess Diana died in a car accident in Paris in August 1997. She and Charles divorced a year prior, having married in 1981 and separating in 1992.
Harry later discussed the funeral procession decision in his memoir “Spare,” describing adult objections to him and William walking behind Diana’s casket.
Spencer previously expressed his disagreement with the procession decision, citing the emotional toll. He described the experience as the “most horrifying half an hour of my life” during a BBC interview.
“Swan Song: Diana, My Sister” is set for release on September 22.
Reporters Ashley Hume and Lori Bashian contributed to this article.