Princess Diana's Brother Unveils Shocking Revelations in New Book
WHO:
CNN - Earl Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, is the author of the book "Swan Song."
CNN - King Charles III is referenced as the then-Prince of Wales and is involved in the allegations made by Spencer.
The Independent - Earl Spencer is described as a British peer, author, journalist, and broadcaster.
WHAT:
CNN - Spencer's book contains allegations about King Charles III's reaction to Princess Diana's death, including a claim that he sounded "giddily elated" upon hearing the news.
CNN - Spencer quotes Charles as saying, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough!” during a phone call after Diana's death.
CNN - Spencer claims that Diana tried to break off her engagement to Charles after he showed "next to no interest" in her at a family event.
CNN - Spencer states that on the day before their wedding, Charles told Diana he was "very happy to marry her, but he was not actually in love with her."
CNN - Spencer describes a comment made by Charles about Diana's weight, stating, “Oh, a bit chubby here, aren’t we?” which Spencer claims devastated Diana.
CNN - Spencer rejected an offer from Queen Elizabeth II to restore Diana's "HRH" title after her death, calling it a "consolation prize."
WHERE:
CNN - The events surrounding Diana's death occurred in Paris, where she was involved in a fatal car crash.
CNN - The ancestral seat of the Spencer family is located in Northamptonshire.
WHEN:
CNN - The fatal car crash that killed Diana occurred on August 31, 1997.
CNN - The book "Swan Song" is set to be released next week.
WHY:
CNN - Spencer suggests that Charles's reaction to Diana's death was influenced by his desire to marry Camilla, indicating a lack of appreciation for Diana's loss.
HOW:
CNN - Spencer recounts a series of phone calls with Charles, detailing their arguments and the emotional exchanges regarding Diana's funeral arrangements.
(UPDATED September 18, 2026 18:04 UTC)
Earl Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother and a British peer, journalist, and broadcaster, has authored a new book titled "Swan Song," which is set to be released next week. In the book, Spencer alleges that King Charles III, then the Prince of Wales, reacted to Diana's death with a troubling lack of empathy, claiming he sounded "giddily elated" and even made a comment about her weight that devastated her. Spencer also recounts a series of phone calls with Charles, revealing emotional exchanges and arguments regarding funeral arrangements, while he rejected an offer from Queen Elizabeth II to restore Diana's title, calling it a mere "consolation prize."