Princess Diana’s brother, eyewitness to history, sparks royal ruckus

Buckingham Palace has released a statement acknowledging that grief can cloud reasoning and memory, even years after a loss. The announcement comes after the publication of Charles Spencer's book, "Diana, My Sister," which details the late Princess Diana's life and death. The memoir, released Tuesday, contains explosive revelations that have prompted a sharp rebuttal from King Charles III. Nearly three decades after Diana's tragic death in Paris in 1997, her life and death continue to captivate public interest.

Spencer, in his book, claims that his late sister would be proud of its publication and that he is writing to correct misconceptions that have become widely accepted. He asserts that Diana would be thrilled by the book and that there is no doubt in his mind that she would be. In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Spencer stated that Charles told him during a phone call shortly after Diana's death, "Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough."

He allegedly described Charles as sounding elated, similar to a lottery winner, upon hearing the news of Diana's demise.

Charles is said to have "gone ballistic" when Spencer insisted that Diana would not have wanted her sons, William and Harry, to walk behind her coffin during her funeral. According to Spencer, the king reacted with anger to this suggestion. Buckingham Palace spokesperson responded to the publication of the book, stating that King Charles is mindful of the pain caused by fraternal grief and how it may affect one's judgement and memory in ways that others may not recognize.

However, the king's statement has been criticized by BBC journalist Laura Kuenssberg, who said that those were exactly the words attributed to King Charles in Spencer's work.

The author of the book criticizes the palace's response, claiming that it mimics the way they responded to Prince Harry and his wife Meghan's claims of royal racism five years ago. Spencer accuses the palace of gaslighting him and calls it a "rather poor imitation" of their response to the princes' allegations. The memoir reveals that Diana had contemplated suicide at various points in her life, including a visit to Beachy Head, a clifftop in southern England where individuals have tragically ended their own lives.

However, Spencer claims that Diana's love for her sons, William and Harry, prevented her from taking such a drastic step.

Spencer also claims that Diana told him Charles was in love with his valet. He further alleges that Charles did not ask for clarification when Diana said they were divorcing because of his alleged affection for his servant. Charles later married his long-time mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles, now the queen. Royal experts have questioned some of the book's claims, with biographers stating that Charles appeared distraught at Diana's funeral rather than elated, as Spencer alleges.