King Charles Sounded like ‘Lottery Winner’ after Diana’s Death, Her Brother Writes

Britain’s King Charles reportedly sounded "like a lottery winner" in the aftermath of his late first wife Diana’s death in 1997, according to her brother's forthcoming book, excerpts of which were published on Thursday. Charles Spencer, Diana's brother, claimed the then-Prince Charles was "giddily elated" following Diana's death, possibly because he believed it would allow him to pursue another marriage.

The passage, reported by the Daily Mail, suggests that Charles's initial reaction to the tragedy was more focused on personal freedom than on the loss of his wife. Spencer also described how Diana was known to have driven herself to Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in England, multiple times, contemplating suicide in her later years.

Diana tragically lost her life at the age of 36 when the car she was in crashed in Paris, fleeing from relentless paparazzi photographers. Spencer, in his book, recounted speaking to Charles shortly after the news broke, and noted the prince's reaction was markedly different from others who were expressing condolences. Charles and Diana separated in 1992, with their divorce finalized in 1996, a year after Diana revealed to the BBC that there were "three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded," referring to Charles' relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles, whom he later married in 2005.

Buckingham Palace responded to the publication of the book, stating that although they do not usually comment on books, the late King acknowledged that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud one's judgment and memory, even many years after such a devastating loss.