Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Charles Spencer’s Memoir Accuses Royals and Press
Charles Spencer has written a book about his sister, Diana, who died many years ago.
He remembers growing up with her and describes how painful her death and funeral were for him.
He also makes serious accusations about members of the royal family and the newspapers that covered Diana.
These are Spencer’s memories and claims, not all agreed-upon facts.
The royal family responded that grief can affect how someone remembers events.
Spencer says a journalist tricked Diana before a famous television interview.
Piers Morgan is taking legal action over one claim in the book, and Spencer apologized for that mistake.
The reviewer says the book shows Spencer still misses Diana, even as it criticizes the people and media around her.
Charles Spencer’s memoir, Swan Song, recounts his memories of Diana and her death while criticizing the royal family and tabloid media.
Spencer alleges that King Charles III disparaged Diana and reacted with relief when she died; the Palace said grief can affect memory and judgment.
Spencer says media pressure contributed to Diana’s death and accuses Martin Bashir of deceiving her before her 1995 BBC Panorama interview.
Piers Morgan is suing Spencer and the book’s publishers over a claim about Morgan’s role at the Daily Mirror; Spencer apologized for that factual error but stands by other criticism.
The reviewer says Spencer’s grievances often overshadow his tribute, while describing the book as an account shaped by his continuing grief.
- Who
- Charles Spencer, brother of Diana, is the author; the memoir also discusses members of the British royal family and the tabloid media.
- What
- Spencer’s memoir Swan Song recounts his memories of Diana and makes critical claims about the royal family and media.
- When
- The memoir was published nearly three decades after Diana’s death; Piers Morgan announced his lawsuit on Tuesday, according to the article.
- Where
- The article discusses the British royal family and the media; it recounts Diana’s fatal crash in Paris.
- Why
- Spencer says he wants to tell his recollections of Diana and preserve her story; the book also reflects his grief and grievances.
Spencer’s account
Responses and qualifications
Claims about King Charles
Spencer’s account
Spencer alleges that Charles disparaged Diana and was elated when she died.
Responses and qualifications
The Palace did not address the specific claims, but said grief can affect reason, judgment, and memory.
Piers Morgan and the Daily Mirror
Spencer’s account
Spencer criticizes Morgan and the media’s role in Diana’s life and death, while acknowledging an error about Morgan’s position at the Daily Mirror.
Responses and qualifications
Morgan says the book contains demonstrable lies and is suing Spencer and the publishers; Spencer apologized for the factual error but stands by other criticism.
The memoir’s portrayal of Diana
Spencer’s account
Spencer presents the book as an intimate account and says he wants to tell events as he remembers them.
Responses and qualifications
The reviewer argues the memoir’s grievances often overshadow its tribute and says it remains one interpretation of Diana’s life.
- Book
- Swan Song
- Author
- Charles Spencer, Diana’s brother
- Book focus
- Spencer’s memories of Diana, her funeral, and his criticisms of the royal family and media
- Panorama interview
- Diana’s interview with Martin Bashir aired in 1995 on the BBC program Panorama
- Legal action
- Piers Morgan said he is suing Spencer and the publishers over a claim about Morgan’s role at the Daily Mirror
- Spencer’s response
- He apologized to Morgan for the factual error but maintained other claims about Morgan and the media
- Palace response
- The Palace said grief can cloud reason, affect judgment, and color memory