King Charles Held Back From Stronger Charles Spencer Response as Palace Team Stepped In
King Charles reportedly wanted to deliver a much stronger response to Charles Spencer’s explosive Princess Diana claims but Palace advisers intervened and persuaded the monarch to tone down his statement amid concerns that a harsher reaction could intensify the disagreement.
The Earl Spencer’s forthcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, revisits painful events surrounding Diana’s death in 1997 and the difficult period that followed for her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Spencer has included previously unheard details about conversations and disagreements from that period, including claims involving the then-Prince Charles and discussions surrounding William and Harry when they were still young.
Buckingham Palace subsequently took the unusual step of responding to the memoir, despite maintaining that it generally does not comment on books concerning members of the Royal Family.
However, an unnamed source cited by Woman’s Day has now claimed that the statement released publicly represented a considerably softer version of what Charles initially wanted to say.
“The fact that he made a statement shows just how enraged he is,” the insider claimed, suggesting that advisers had originally encouraged Charles to avoid responding to Spencer altogether.
“Everyone told him not to dignify this with a response but that just wasn’t an option, he had to speak out,” the source continued while describing the alleged discussions behind Palace doors.
The eventual Buckingham Palace statement said that while it does “not comment on books as a matter of principle,” the King recognised the lasting effects that intense grief can have on memory.
The Palace said Charles was “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.”
According to the insider, however, Charles “actually held himself back” and had “a lot more” he wanted to say publicly in response to his former brother-in-law’s recollections.
The source claimed Palace advisers “intervened and convinced him to tone it down,” apparently fearing that a more confrontational statement could encourage further accusations from Spencer rather than settle the disagreement.
Those concerns may have some basis in Spencer’s public reaction. Diana’s brother has already rejected the Palace’s challenge to his memory, describing its response as “astonishingly provocative and below the belt.”
The Woman’s Day source further claimed there is now concern that even the softened statement may have opened the door to additional allegations, while suggesting Charles remains prepared to defend himself if necessary.
None of the claims about Charles’ private anger or the alleged intervention by his advisers has been publicly confirmed by Buckingham Palace. With Spencer’s full memoir still to come, the situation could remain difficult for both sides, particularly if further disputed recollections prompt another response from the King.
