Who is Earl Spencer? What Diana’s brother claims King Charles said after her death

Earl Spencer, the younger brother of Princess Diana, is set to release his memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, on 22 September 2026. The book provides an intimate glimpse into his sister's life and death, as told through his memories. Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, grew up alongside Diana at Althorp, the Spencer family estate in Northamptonshire.

He inherited the family title in 1992 and has spent much of his career working in television news and writing history books. Spencer's connection to Diana has been central to his public identity, particularly since her death in 1997. At her funeral, he delivered a eulogy that became one of the most memorable moments. His memoir delves into Diana's childhood, marriage to Prince Charles, motherhood, and the intense media attention surrounding her life.

Some of the most controversial passages concern the days following her death and the arrangements for her funeral. Spencer claims he objected to William and Harry walking behind their mother's coffin, believing Diana wouldn't have wanted them to be the focus of such a public and emotionally difficult procession. He also describes a tense phone call with Prince Charles about the issue.

The memoir has attracted attention for its claims about conversations between the royal family nearly three decades after Diana's death, particularly his allegation that Charles said, "we'll forget her soon enough." Buckingham Palace has rejected Spencer's account, suggesting that grief can affect memory and judgement. Despite the controversy, Spencer maintains his recollection, presenting Swan Song as a means of preserving his memories of Diana and offering readers a more personal picture of his sister beyond the public image.