Charles sounded 'giddily elated' after Diana’s death, her brother claims
Princess Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, claims in his new memoir that King Charles sounded "giddily elated" and "like a lottery winner" in a phone call immediately after Diana's death. Spencer also alleges Charles made a comment about "forgetting her soon enough" during an argument over funeral arrangements, reflecting his "pent-up contempt" for Diana.
Why it matters
These claims from a close family member reignite controversy and public discussion around the British Royal Family's past, potentially impacting public perception of King Charles and the monarchy.
The brother of Princess Diana has claimed in published extracts of his new memoir that King Charles sounded "giddily elated – like a lottery winner" in a phone call to him immediately after her death. It's the <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/17/palace-hits-back-at-claims-made-by-dianas-brother-in-new-book/">second high-profile allegation</a> to emerge from Earl Spencer's book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, in as many days. The Earl, who said the phone was ringing constantly at the time, claimed in his book: "Unlike my other callers, who were stunned, barely able to articulate their condolences and offers of help, he sounded giddily elated – like a lottery winner, I remember thinking at the time." King Charles was also alleged to have sounded "strangely matter-of-fact, given the enormity of the disaster," the Earl alleged.
Also covering this story
11 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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Charles said Diana would be forgotten 'soon enough', Earl Spencer claims in book
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