Buckingham Palace on Wednesday rejected a claim in an upcoming memoir that King Charles III told his sister, Princess Diana’s brother Charles Spencer, he felt "giddily elated – like a lottery winner" when Diana died. The palace said the allegation was "extremely strong" and emphasized that any recollection of grief could be clouded by emotion.
Spencer’s book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, is set for release next week. It quotes a private conversation in which the future king allegedly said, "Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough," and describes his reaction as "giddily elated – like a lottery winner." The memoir also claims Charles insisted Prince William and Prince Harry walk behind Diana’s coffin to shield them from public abuse. Excerpts have appeared in the Daily Mail, and the BBC and The Guardian have reported the same allegations.
The palace’s statement, issued through its press office, called the claims unsubstantiated and noted that "His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory." No recordings, contemporaneous notes or other documentary evidence have been presented by either side to verify the exchange.
The dispute revives a long‑standing narrative about the royal family’s handling of Diana’s death, a story that first emerged after the 1997 tragedy. Spencer has been a vocal critic of the monarchy for decades, and his memoir continues that pattern. Without independent verification, the story rests on personal recollection versus an official denial, leaving journalists to report both versions without endorsing either.
Public confidence in the monarchy is already under pressure. Recent polls show a modest decline in trust since Charles ascended the throne last year, and charitable donations linked to royal patronage have shown sensitivity to reputational shifts. While there is no direct evidence that the memoir will affect charitable giving, renewed focus on internal family dynamics could influence public engagement with royal initiatives.
Commercially, the book is expected to generate strong sales. Pre‑order activity has surged following the media coverage, and the palace’s rebuttal is likely to amplify interest further. Whether the memoir’s success translates into broader scrutiny of the monarchy remains uncertain.
The book’s launch next week will prompt reviewers and historians to examine the claims more closely. Analysts will watch for any additional statements from the palace or members of the Spencer family that could provide new evidence. Until such verification emerges, the episode highlights how personal family narratives can intersect with institutional legitimacy, leaving the public to weigh contested memories against official denials.