A significant rift has opened between the Royal Family and the public sphere following the release of Earl Spencer’s new memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. The book has sparked what newspapers are calling a “war of words,” featuring explosive allegations about King Charles’s private reactions and the Queen’s last-minute interventions regarding Diana’s funeral arrangements.
According to reports summarized by the Daily Star, Earl Spencer claims that King Charles was “giddily elated” upon receiving news of Diana’s death, comparing the monarch’s demeanor to that of a lottery winner. In response, Buckingham Palace issued a strong rebuttal, stating that His Majesty remains mindful that “the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss.”
The Times reported additional claims from the memoir suggesting that Charles immediately began considering how Diana’s death might free him to marry the woman he loved. The Daily Mirror highlighted further allegations that Diana had contemplated suicide but was deterred by her love for her sons. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail, which is serializing excerpts from the book, reported that the late Queen dramatically offered to restore Diana’s royal style of Her Royal Highness on the day of her funeral.
Defenders of the King have pushed back against the narrative. The Daily Express cited King Charles’s former communications chief, who asserted that the then-Prince Charles was “absolutely emphatic” that staff should respect Diana’s memory. The Sun questioned the timing and motives behind the allegations, with royal insiders describing Spencer’s actions as a “vicious attack.” The i Paper noted that the Palace is now firmly on the defensive as the row escalates.
Beyond the royal controversy, other key stories in today’s papers include economic and environmental developments. The Guardian reports that Prime Minister Andy Burnham has urged the UK to fully commit to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, describing his comments as the strongest yet on the issue. In contrast, the Times editorial warned that “zerophobia” could spread unless the government effectively promotes affordable, homegrown clean energy.
On the economic front, the Telegraph highlights concerns from tourism bosses regarding Labour’s plans to tax holiday cottages as second homes rather than businesses ahead of next month’s Budget. Additionally, the Financial Times reports that the Bank of England has cautioned that interest rates may rise due to the ongoing Middle East energy crisis.
The economic news is worrying too. Interest rates going up thanks to that energy crisis is bad timing.
I find it hard to believe Charles celebrated. That story sounds made up or twisted by grief.
Did the Queen really offer to restore Diana’s title? That bit about her intervention is quite moving.
Why does Earl Spencer keep digging up the past? It feels like a cash grab, not justice for Diana.
Charles being ‘giddily elated’ is such a shocking claim. I hope he proves them wrong with his actions.