Diana’s brother says Charles sounded ‘giddily elated’ after her death
Charles Spencer, brother of Princess Diana, claims King Charles III sounded "giddily elated" and like a "lottery winner" during a conversation following Diana's death. The Palace has rejected these claims, and Spencer says the King "gaslit" him after Buckingham Palace questioned the memoir's accounts. Spencer also alleges the royal family denied Diana's funeral requests and that the late Queen responded "tetchily" to the crash. While Spencer defends his truth in a BBC interview, Prince William has chosen not to respond to the memoir.
Listen to Live Briefing
Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk
- ✓ Charles Spencer wrote that King Charles sounded like a "lottery winner" after Diana's death.
- ✓ Buckingham Palace rejected claims that King Charles was "elated" after Princess Diana's death.
- ✓ Charles Spencer claims the royal family denied a funeral request made by Princess Diana.
- ✓ Prince William has opted for a "never complain, never explain" approach regarding the memoir.
What changed
Earl Spencer released a memoir and gave a BBC interview detailing his interactions with the royal family following Princess Diana's death.
Live updates
-
Earl Spencer claims King Charles was elated after Diana's death
Charles Spencer, brother of Princess Diana, claims King Charles III sounded "giddily elated" and like a "lottery winner" during a conversation following Diana's death. The Palace has rejected these claims, and Spencer says the King "gaslit" him after Buckingham Palace questioned the memoir's accounts. Spencer also alleges the royal family denied Diana's funeral requests and that the late Queen responded "tetchily" to the crash. While Spencer defends his truth in a BBC interview, Prince William has chosen not to respond to the memoir.
Why it matters
These allegations appear in a new book by Earl Spencer regarding his sister's life and death. The claims reopen long-standing tensions between the Spencer family and the British monarchy.
What is confirmed
- Charles Spencer wrote that King Charles sounded like a "lottery winner" after Diana's death.
- Buckingham Palace rejected claims that King Charles was "elated" after Princess Diana's death.
- Charles Spencer claims the royal family denied a funeral request made by Princess Diana.
- Prince William has opted for a "never complain, never explain" approach regarding the memoir.
Still unconfirmed
- Prince Philip overruled King Charles regarding their positions in the funeral procession walk.
What to watch next
- Further official responses from Buckingham Palace regarding specific funeral request claims
- Potential legal challenges or rebuttals to the memoir's contents
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (17)
- CNN — Britain’s royal family wracked by fresh turmoil after brief summer respite
- reuters.com — King Charles sounded like 'lottery winner' after Diana's death, her brother writes
- People.com — Princess Diana’s Brother Charles Spencer Says the Royal Family Denied Her Funeral Request
- NBC News — Princess Diana’s brother says King Charles sounded ‘giddily elated’ after her death
- The Washington Post — Palace rejects claims King Charles was ‘elated’ after Princess Diana’s death
- CBS News — Princess Diana's brother claims Charles sounded "like a lottery winner" after she died
- BBC — 'I'm telling the truth': Earl Spencer defends Diana book claims about Charles in BBC interview
- instyle.com — Princess Diana Wanted to Call Off Her Engagement to Prince Charles
- People.com — Charles Spencer Recalls His Reaction to Queen Elizabeth’s Offer to Restore Princess Diana’s HRH Title After Her 1997 Death
- Sky News — Earl Spencer claims late Queen responded 'tetchily' to Diana crash - as he doubles down on call with Charles
- People.com — Charles Spencer Recalls Prince Philip ‘Overruling’ King Charles Over Their Places in Princess Diana’s Funeral Walk
- bbc.com — Earl Spencer's Diana book opens old wounds royals would rather forget
Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?
Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community