King Charles Breaks Silence After Princess Diana Book Claims He Said ‘We’ll Forget Her Soon Enough’

London: King Charles III has responded indirectly to a new claim by Charles Spencer, the brother of Princess Diana, who alleges that the then-Prince Charles told him shortly after Diana's death: “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.”

The claim appears in Spencer's forthcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, which is scheduled to be published on September 22, 2026. Buckingham Palace has issued an unusually pointed response, saying that grief can affect a person's judgment and memory even many years after a loss.

What does Charles Spencer claim?

According to an extract from the memoir published ahead of its release, Spencer recalls a heated telephone conversation with the then-Prince Charles in the days following Princess Diana's death on August 31, 1997.

The disagreement reportedly centred on whether Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, should walk behind their mother's coffin during her funeral procession. William was 15 and Harry was 12 at the time.

Spencer says he objected to the idea because he believed Diana would not have wanted her young sons to endure such a public ordeal.

He claims the conversation with Charles became increasingly heated before the then-Prince of Wales allegedly said: “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.” Spencer says he was stunned by the remark and eventually told Charles that he could not believe he had said it before ending the call.

Buckingham Palace responds

The allegation prompted a rare response from Buckingham Palace.

A palace spokesperson said: “While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and color memory in ways others do not recognize, even many years after such a loss.”

The statement does not directly confirm or deny that the conversation occurred. Instead, it points to the possibility that memories of an emotionally traumatic period can be affected by grief and the passage of time.

Why was the conversation taking place?

The alleged exchange relates to one of the most emotionally charged decisions surrounding Diana's funeral.

Following her death in a Paris car crash, plans were made for William and Harry to walk behind their mother's coffin during the funeral procession. Spencer has previously spoken about his concerns over the decision, particularly because Harry was only 12.

Diana's funeral took place at Westminster Abbey on September 6, 1997, with millions of people around the world watching the procession. The image of the two young princes walking behind their mother's coffin became one of the defining moments of the funeral.

What is Swan Song: Diana, My Sister about?

Spencer's new memoir is intended to provide his personal account of Diana's life and their relationship as siblings.

The 9th Earl Spencer has said that the book aims to tell Diana's story from his perspective and that he wants to speak on her behalf in a positive way.

The memoir is expected to revisit some of the most difficult periods in Diana's life, including her relationship with the Royal Family, her marriage to Charles and the events surrounding her death.

Claim remains disputed

The reported “we'll forget her soon enough” comment comes solely from Spencer's recollection in his forthcoming memoir. The book has not yet been published in full, and the claim has not been independently verified.

Buckingham Palace's response has also stopped short of directly addressing whether Charles made the statement. Instead, it highlighted the potential impact of grief on memory and judgment.

The controversy therefore centres on two different accounts of a private conversation nearly three decades ago: Spencer's recollection of what was said and the Palace's reminder that memories of profound grief can change over time.

As Swan Song: Diana, My Sister approaches its September 22 release, further excerpts may provide additional context surrounding Spencer's account of the events following Diana's death.