The royal household on Tuesday issued a formal denial of a quote attributed to King Charles III in the upcoming King Charles memoir by Charles Spencer. The book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, is slated for publication in late September 2026.
Spencer’s memoir, serialized in the Daily Mail and reported by several outlets, claims Charles told his brother, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough,” shortly after Princess Diana’s fatal car crash on Aug. 31, 1997. The palace said the statement is “not language that I recognise” and noted that “His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgement and colour memory.”
No audio recording or contemporaneous documentation of the alleged exchange has been produced; the claim rests solely on Spencer’s recollection. Julian Payne, who served as communications secretary to Charles from 2017, told reporters he does not recall the remark.
The denial marks a departure from the royal family’s usual practice of avoiding comment on unpublished books. By addressing the allegation directly, the palace signals that it views the claim as a reputational risk at a time when public confidence in the monarchy is already under scrutiny.
Analysts say the controversy could affect public attitudes toward the institution. If the quote gains traction, it may reinforce perceptions that the royal family was indifferent to Diana’s death, potentially influencing charitable patronage and broader support. Conversely, the palace’s proactive rebuttal may limit damage by presenting a clear counter‑narrative before the memoir’s launch.
Spencer’s book is positioned as a personal account of Diana’s life and death from her brother’s perspective, offering a critique of the royal establishment’s handling of the tragedy. While the memoir is likely to boost sales and media coverage, the lack of corroborating evidence means the claim remains contested.
The timing of the denial coincides with renewed media focus on Diana’s legacy, including the upcoming auction of her “revenge dress” in December 2026 in New York. Observers will watch for any further comments from the royal household and reactions from Diana’s immediate family, who have not been quoted on the matter.
The palace’s statement is the most prominent official response to the allegation to date. How the monarchy navigates this challenge may shape its approach to future scrutiny of historical episodes in new publications.