‘Gaslit by a king’: Charles Spencer breaks silence after Palace response to his Diana memoir

Princess Diana’s brother Charles Spencer has accused King Charles of “gaslighting” him after Buckingham Palace questioned his account of a conversation following Diana’s death.

Princess Diana’s brother Charles Spencer has spoken out after Buckingham Palace issued a rare response to claims in his forthcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. Spencer accused King Charles of “gaslighting” him and said he was shocked by the Palace’s reaction.

Charles Spencer hits back after Palace response to his Diana memoir claims

Speaking in an interview with ABC News’ Maggie Rulli for Good Morning America, Spencer addressed the statement issued by Buckingham Palace after excerpts from his book were published ahead of its 22 September release.

“Well, it's not every day you're gaslit by a king, but I was really upset with that because I thought it was very, not only condescending, but not straight,” Spencer said. “What I said is straight and true. And what did they come back with? That. It doesn't say he didn't say it either. That's what I found interesting. I was really shocked, actually.”

What did Charles Spencer claim about King Charles?

In Swan Song, Spencer recalls a disagreement with the then-Prince Charles over arrangements for Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997. According to his account, Charles told him, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.”

Spencer has maintained that he remembers the conversation clearly. The claim concerns events shortly after Diana died in a Paris car crash in August 1997, aged 36.

The account prompted an unusually direct response from Buckingham Palace. While the Palace generally does not comment on books about members of the Royal Family, it said King Charles was mindful that “the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgement and colour memory”.

Spencer interpreted that response as an attempt to undermine his recollection rather than a direct denial of the conversation.

What is in Charles Spencer’s new book?

Swan Song: Diana, My Sister revisits Diana’s life from her brother’s perspective, including her childhood, marriage to Charles, motherhood, intense media scrutiny and the aftermath of her death.

The memoir also examines the events surrounding her funeral. Spencer has written that he objected to Princes William and Harry, then 15 and 12, walking behind their mother’s coffin during the procession. He has said he believed Diana would not have wanted her young sons placed at the centre of such an emotionally difficult public event.

Spencer’s relationship with Diana has long placed him close to one of the most scrutinised periods in the modern Royal Family’s history. He delivered the eulogy at her funeral at Westminster Abbey and later continued to write and speak about his sister’s life and legacy.

Neither Prince William nor Prince Harry has publicly commented on the claims in Spencer’s memoir. The book is due to be published on 22 September, with the Palace’s response and Spencer’s subsequent remarks adding a new layer to the long-running scrutiny surrounding Diana’s final years and death.

About the Author

Trisha Bhattacharya is a Senior Content Producer at Livemint, with over two years of experience covering entertainment news from India and beyond. She spends her days tracking what’s trending, breaking down pop culture moments, and turning fast-moving entertainment stories into sharp, engaging reads that actually make people want to click — and stay. <br> She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from Lucknow University, a background that shapes her love for layered narratives, strong voices, and stories that linger long after they’re told. Before joining Livemint, Trisha worked with India Today as an entertainment journalist and film critic. There, she reviewed films, covered industry news, and built a strong foundation in storytelling and cultural analysis. <br> Trisha enjoys working at the intersection of media, culture, and audience interest, always looking for fresh angles and formats. Films, shows, and music are not just her beat but her biggest passion — something that naturally reflects in her writing. Whether it’s cinema, streaming shows, music, or internet trends, she approaches every story with curiosity and intent. <br> Outside the job description, she’s unapologetically passionate about films, shows, and music — sometimes a little too passionate, if you ask her. That enthusiasm often spills into her work, adding personality, urgency, and a touch of chaos that keeps her writing alive. For Trisha, entertainment isn’t just a beat — it’s a language she speaks fluently.

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