Spencer accuses King Charles of gaslighting over memoir claims

The Earl Charles Spencer has rejected Buckingham Palace's dismissal of his memoir claims, labeling the royal household's response as gaslighting. The confrontation follows the publication of excerpts from his book, "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister," which detail a disputed phone call with King Charles III six days after Princess Diana's death in 1997. The next confirmable milestone is the full release of the memoir on September 22.

The Disputed Account

Spencer alleges that during the 1997 conversation, the then-Prince of Wales expressed contempt for Diana. He claims Charles stated, "We'll forget her soon enough!" regarding his ex-wife. The earl described the moment as shocking, noting he had spoken to Charles on the phone only twice in his life and remained hyper-alert to the words. He told BBC One's Laura Kuenssberg that he repeated the alleged comment to close friends immediately afterward because of its severity.

Buckingham Palace issued a statement disputing the account. The spokesperson suggested that the pain of fraternal grief can impact memory and judgment in ways others do not recognize. The palace did not deny the specific words used but implied that Spencer's recollection may be colored by the trauma of losing his sister. Spencer argued this response was a poor imitation of the "recollections may vary" statement issued after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 2021 interview.

The Setup and What to Watch

The exchange highlights a deepening rift between the Spencer family and the royal household. Spencer maintains that his memory is precise because of the rarity of their contact. He stated that he told Kuenssberg, "I'm telling the truth," and questioned which version the public should believe. He also noted that Prince William and Prince Harry are already familiar with his version of events.

The palace has declined further comment. The book is set to release on September 22, which will provide the full context of Spencer's claims. Readers should watch for any further official response from Buckingham Palace or legal action regarding the publication's contents. The dispute centers on the authenticity of the 1997 phone call and the characterization of Charles's feelings toward Diana at that time.