Princess Diana’s brother accuses King Charles of gaslighting amid book claims

In an interview ahead of the release of his book, Swan Song: Diana, Charles Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, accused King Charles III of gaslighting him. Spencer stated, "It is not every day you wake up to find you’ve been gaslit by the king." He emphasized that the statement was "astonishingly provocative and below the belt" because it implied that he had lied, a claim Charles could not deny.

Spencer made these accusations days after Buckingham Palace responded to excerpts of his book in the Daily Mail, stating that while they don't comment on books, the king is mindful of the pain of fraternal grief and how it can affect judgment and memory. Spencer alleges that during a phone call discussing palace plans for Prince William and Prince Harry to walk behind their mother's coffin, King Charles reacted with anger, likening his sister's death to an opportunity for him to marry the woman he loved.

Spencer recalled, "After a stunned silence, I said, 'I cannot believe you just said that.'" He also noted a "lightness" in the king's tone when discussing Diana's death, which he found jarring. When asked if Charles' comments could be seen as suggesting Diana's death was convenient for the king, Spencer replied, "That is how I felt at the time from the tone of his voice."

Spencer defended his account, stating, "I am telling the truth," and reminded the interviewer of his eulogy at Diana's funeral, where he said, "Above all, we give thanks for the life of a woman I am so proud to be able to call my sister." Spencer believes his revelations will not be a surprise to Prince William and Prince Harry and that he shared information not relevant to the book because they are not a focus.

He also compared his sister's experiences with the tabloid press to that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, urging people to learn from Diana's example and avoid being destroyed daily by such media. The book's publication, along with the return of Harry and Meghan to Britain, presents another challenge for King Charles, who is undergoing cancer treatment.

Princess Diana's family has accused the royals of showing a lack of support or care before her death, a claim repeated by Harry, who is largely estranged from the rest of the Royal Family.