Charles Spencer releases Princess Diana memoir nearly 30 years later

Princess Diana’s younger brother, Charles Spencer, has released his highly anticipated memoir about the late Princess of Wales, nearly three decades after her death.

Swan Song: Diana, My Sister is officially released in the UK on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, with the book also being published internationally. The memoir tells the story of Diana’s life and the week surrounding her death in 1997.

The release comes almost 30 years after Spencer stood at Westminster Abbey and delivered an emotional eulogy for his sister in front of a worldwide audience.

The memoir now gives readers an opportunity to hear Diana’s story from the perspective of someone who knew her as a sister long before she became one of the world’s most recognisable women.

Charles Spencer's book about his late sister, Princess Diana, packed with explosive revelations, is published on Tuesday, after searing extracts prompted a rare and sharp rebuttal from King Charles III.https://t.co/rRo62ujCZ2

— eNCA (@eNCA) September 22, 2026

CHARLES SPENCER OPENS UP ABOUT DIANA

Spencer has said the approaching 30th anniversary of Diana’s death encouraged him to finally put his memories on paper.

“With the 30th anniversary of Diana’s tragic death on the skyline, I’ve been inundated yet again with requests for interviews about my sister,” he said according to The Guardian.

The continued interest in Diana convinced Spencer to document his own memories instead of repeatedly encountering accounts that he believes contain inaccuracies.

“This has convinced me to write down my own thoughts and memories, once and for all, rather than having the discomfort of again reading the opinions of others, many of which are based on untruths that have become accepted over time.”

Swan Song marks the first time Spencer has spoken openly and at length about his sister in book form.

The memoir explores Diana’s life from the perspective of her younger brother, including their family life and the final week before her death.

A PERSONAL STORY OF PRINCESS DIANA

Spencer has described Diana as much more than the public figure who dominated newspapers and television screens around the world.

He hopes the memoir will allow readers to understand the woman behind the royal headlines.

“The aim of this book is to tell the truth about Diana from her brother’s perspective, just as I attempted to do when speaking at her funeral,” Spencer said.

“As with my eulogy, I want to speak on Diana’s behalf and do so in an openly positive way.”

The publisher has described the memoir as a tribute to Diana and highlighted Spencer’s unique perspective as her brother.

Penguin Random House says the book will be published globally and translated into 12 languages, giving readers around the world access to Spencer’s account.

WHY PRINCESS DIANA’S STORY STILL MATTERS

Diana died on 31 August 1997 after the car she was travelling in crashed in Paris. She was 36.

Her death resulted in an enormous public outpouring of grief, while her funeral became one of the most watched royal events of the era.

Almost 30 years later, public interest in her life remains strong.

Her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, have both continued to speak about their mother and her influence on their lives.

Diana’s legacy has also remained visible through books, documentaries, exhibitions and renewed interest in her fashion, charity work and approach to motherhood.

Spencer believes his memoir can help younger generations understand the woman behind that enduring legacy.

“I would be delighted if those too young to remember her in her heyday feel, after reading this, that they ‘get’ who she really was,” he said.

He described Diana as a “one-off, dynamic character” who was full of “love, charisma and self-doubt”.

A BROTHER’S MEMORIES NEARLY 30 YEARS ON

The release of Swan Song: Diana, My Sister comes at a significant point in Diana’s story.

For Spencer, it is an opportunity to preserve memories of his sister before another anniversary brings renewed public attention to her life and death.

The memoir also arrives amid renewed interest in the British Royal Family, with extracts already generating discussion about Diana’s marriage and the events following her death.

However, at its heart, Spencer says the book is about remembering Diana as his sister.

“I hope this book will be of interest to the many who still cherish the memory of Diana when she was alive,” he said.

Swan Song: Diana, My Sister is now available following its UK publication on 22 September, with international editions also being released.