'Grief can colour memory': Palace responds after Earl Spencer's claim in Diana book
Buckingham Palace has issued a rare rebuke of claims made in a new memoir by Earl Spencer, the brother of Princess Diana. Spencer alleges that in the days following Diana's 1997 death, the then-Prince Charles told him she would be forgotten "soon enough." The Palace has challenged this account, sparking a public disagreement over the private conversation. Prince Harry was reportedly given advance warning of the book's contents but has not yet read the memoir, according to a source close to the Duke of Sussex.
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- ✓ Earl Spencer claims in his memoir that Charles said Princess Diana would be forgotten "soon enough" shortly after her death.
- ✓ Buckingham Palace has issued a response rebutting the claims made in Earl Spencer's book.
What changed
Buckingham Palace issued a formal rebuttal to Earl Spencer's claim that King Charles predicted Diana would be quickly forgotten.
Live updates
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Buckingham Palace rebuts Earl Spencer's claim about King Charles and Diana
Buckingham Palace has issued a rare rebuke of claims made in a new memoir by Earl Spencer, the brother of Princess Diana. Spencer alleges that in the days following Diana's 1997 death, the then-Prince Charles told him she would be forgotten "soon enough." The Palace has challenged this account, sparking a public disagreement over the private conversation. Prince Harry was reportedly given advance warning of the book's contents but has not yet read the memoir, according to a source close to the Duke of Sussex.
Why it matters
The dispute centers on the emotional aftermath of Princess Diana's death and the nature of the relationship between the royal family and her siblings. Such public responses from the Palace are uncommon and indicate a significant disagreement over the historical record.
What is confirmed
- Earl Spencer claims in his memoir that Charles said Princess Diana would be forgotten "soon enough" shortly after her death.
- Buckingham Palace has issued a response rebutting the claims made in Earl Spencer's book.
Still unconfirmed
- Prince Harry was given advance warning about the book but has not read it.
What to watch next
- Further specific details from the Palace regarding the nature of the conversation
- A direct response from Prince Harry regarding the memoir
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (14)
- BBC — Charles said Diana would be forgotten 'soon enough', Earl Spencer claims in book
- People.com — King Charles Issues Rare Response on Charles Spencer’s Book Claim About Princess Diana
- usatoday.com — Royal family issues rare rebuke of claims in Princess Diana's brother's book
- BBC — King's 'astonishing outburst' and 'heartbreak' after search for missing Noah
- CNN — Princess Diana’s brother claims Charles said she would be forgotten ‘soon enough’ just days after her death
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Buckingham Palace rebuts claim in book by Princess Diana's brother
- Yahoo — King Charles responds to claims in Earl Spencer's book about Princess Diana
- The Guardian — Earl Spencer’s memoir claims Prince Charles said of Diana: ‘We’ll forget her soon enough’
- BBC — Palace in war of words with Earl Spencer over claims in Diana book
- The Telegraph — Palace hits back at Earl Spencer book
- www.dailymail.com — Prince Harry reveals he was 'aware' of Earl Spencer's book as King enters war of words with Diana's brother who claims Charles told him she would be 'forgotten' da…
- leadership.ng — Buckingham Palace Responds To Charles Spencer’s Claim About King Charles And Diana
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