The freshly released memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister has ignited a fresh storm around the British monarchy. Written by Lady Diana Spencer’s younger brother, the book claims to reveal private conversations and moments that have never been disclosed to the public. Among the most sensational allegations is a phrase attributed to King Charles III in the aftermath of his former wife’s death: “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.” The disclosure has forced Buckingham Palace to break a long-standing policy of silence on published works, issuing a statement that many observers describe as extraordinary.
Inside the explosive revelations of “Swan Song”
Spencer’s narrative begins with an unsettling confession that allegedly occurred months before the royal wedding at St Paul’s Cathedral on July 29, 1981. He writes that Charles told his future bride that, while he was happy to marry her, he was not actually in love with her. The claim paints the iconic ceremony in a dramatically different light, suggesting that Diana entered the union aware of an emotional void. According to Spencer, the Queen’s daughter-in-law was devastated, even seeking counsel from her father, the Earl, as she grappled with the revelation.
Later, Spencer recounts a private lunch in which Diana supposedly confided that her husband was “in love with his valet.” The conversation, as described, ended with Spencer’s muted response, “you really don’t have a choice.” The identity of the staff member was never disclosed, and Spencer admits he never pursued the matter, focusing instead on the broader collapse of the marriage.
Following Diana’s 1997 funeral, the memoir says that Queen Elizabeth II offered to restore the HRH style to Diana’s name as a posthumous gesture. Spencer declined, believing the offer would feel like a hollow consolation rather than genuine restitution. He recalls a tense exchange aboard the royal train bound for Althorp, where the Queen’s private secretary, Robert, presented the proposal. Spencer’s internal monologue, captured in the book, suggests he imagined Diana would view the title restoration as “pointless now that she’s dead.”
Buckingham Palace breaks its silence
In a rare public rebuttal, Buckingham Palace issued a statement that departed from its customary practice of non-commentary on literary works. The palace acknowledged 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.” By framing the alleged Charles remark within the context of grief-induced distortion, the institution attempted to mitigate the potential damage to the monarch’s reputation.
The statement also hinted at a broader defensive posture, noting that the alleged quote was “out of character” for a man described as compassionate. Former communications secretary Julian Payne was cited as finding the language “unrecognisable” for the King. The palace’s intervention coincides with a hectic royal calendar featuring Prince William and Catherine’s Scottish visit, Prince Harry’s first major UK appearance since his return, and the King’s engagement with AI leaders at Dumfries House, underscoring the heightened media attention surrounding the family.
Personal trauma and family dynamics uncovered
Beyond the royal scandals, Spencer’s memoir delves into his own psychological turmoil. He admits that relentless tabloid attacks pushed him to contemplate suicide, describing a condition he later identified as Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)—a heightened emotional response to perceived criticism. Spencer argues that Princess Diana likely suffered from a similar neuro-divergent profile, possibly ADHD which would explain her intense reaction to relentless media scrutiny.
Spencer also expresses concern for his nephew, Prince Harry who was twelve when Diana died. He recounts the train journey from London to Althorp after the funeral, observing a lack of nurturing support for the grieving boy. Spencer believes a more compassionate approach could have altered Harry’s later relationship with the institution.
The memoir concludes with a startling anecdote from 1989 at Althorp. During preparations for Spencer’s first wedding, a heated exchange between Diana and her stepmother, Raine Spencer, allegedly culminated in Diana pushing Raine down the main staircase. Although Raine escaped serious injury, the incident, according to Spencer, illustrates the volatile atmosphere that surrounded the family during that period.
