King Charles Allegedly Said ‘We’ll Forget Diana Soon Enough’ After Princess’ Death, Charles Spencer Claims
King Charles III allegedly made a stunning remark about Princess Diana just days after her death, according to a new memoir from Diana’s younger brother, Charles Spencer.
In his forthcoming book, *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister*, the 9th Earl Spencer claims the then-Prince Charles told him, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough,” during a heated telephone conversation over arrangements for Diana’s funeral.
The allegation has now prompted an unusually pointed response from Buckingham Palace, which challenged Spencer’s recollection without directly accusing him of being untruthful.
The alleged conversation took place in the days following Diana’s death in a Paris car crash on Aug. 31, 1997. At the time, Spencer says he strongly opposed plans for Diana’s sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, who were 15 and 12, to walk behind their mother’s coffin.
According to Spencer, he was informed by a senior royal aide that the boys would participate in the funeral procession. Spencer reportedly objected, believing Diana would not have wanted her young sons placed in such an emotionally difficult and highly public position.
Spencer claims Charles then called him and the two men became embroiled in an argument over the funeral plans.
It was during that exchange, Spencer alleges, that Charles made the comment about Diana eventually being forgotten.
Spencer writes that he was stunned by what he heard and responded, “I can’t believe you just said that,” before ending the call.
The claim represents Spencer’s recollection of a private conversation nearly three decades ago and has not been independently verified.
### Buckingham Palace Responds
Buckingham Palace has taken the unusual step of responding publicly to the allegation.
“While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss,” a palace spokesperson said.
The statement notably disputes the reliability of Spencer’s recollection without providing a detailed alternative account of the conversation.
Spencer has also offered his own interpretation of Charles’ alleged behavior after Diana’s death, accusing his former brother-in-law of having “contempt” for Diana. That characterization is Spencer’s opinion as presented in the memoir, rather than an independently established fact.
Despite Spencer’s objections, William and Harry ultimately joined their father, grandfather Prince Philip and uncle Charles Spencer in walking behind Diana’s coffin during the Sept. 6, 1997 funeral procession.
Images of the two young princes walking through London behind their mother’s coffin became among the most enduring scenes from Diana’s funeral.
The decision has continued to generate discussion in the decades since. Harry has publicly discussed the experience and the enormous emotional burden surrounding his mother’s death and funeral.
### Spencer Tells Diana’s Story in New Memoir
*Swan Song: Diana, My Sister* is scheduled to be released on Sept. 22. According to publisher Penguin Random House, the 384-page memoir tells the story of Diana’s life and death from her brother’s perspective.
Spencer has said he wanted to put his own memories of his sister on record as the 30th anniversary of her death approaches in 2027.
“The aim of this book is to tell the truth about Diana from her brother’s perspective,” Spencer said while discussing the project.
Diana was 36 when she died following the Paris crash. Nearly three decades later, her life, death and complicated relationship with the royal family continue to attract worldwide attention.
Spencer’s latest allegation is likely to renew debate about what happened privately within the royal family during the extraordinary days following Diana’s death. But with Buckingham Palace publicly challenging his recollection, the alleged conversation remains a sharply disputed account of one of the monarchy’s most difficult periods.
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