Memoirs of Princess Diana's Brother: What Do We Know About Earl Spencer and What He Claimed About Charles?

- When Earl Charles Spencer delivered the moving eulogy for the late Princess Diana, he vowed to protect her two sons - whom he described as "blood relatives" - from the suffering that repeatedly drove his sister into a "state of despair mixed with tears." Nearly 30 years later, the allegations in his new book threaten - in the words of one British newspaper - to drive a "dagger into the heart" of these two sons.

Spencer claims that his former brother-in-law - now King Charles - unleashed his anger on him over the phone following Diana's death, after Spencer argued that she would not have wanted William and Harry to participate in her funeral procession, according to excerpts published this week. The king is also accused of saying, "We will soon forget her"; a claim that Buckingham Palace has strongly denied.

Some British media and royal commentators have questioned the wisdom of digging up the past, while others have defended Spencer, arguing that his book shows he prioritized family over royal traditions. Charles Spencer was born in London on May 20, 1964, and belongs to a prominent British aristocratic family with ties to the current royal family, with the late Queen Elizabeth II being his godmother.

In 1508, the family purchased the "Althorp" estate in West Northamptonshire, England - about two and a half hours' drive north of London - where the historic family seat still stands today. Spencer was educated at Eton College, a prestigious school located in Berkshire, England, very close to Windsor Castle.

He then attended Magdalene College at the University of Oxford, where he studied modern history, according to his website. Spencer later worked as a journalist, spending a decade (starting in 1986) as a television correspondent for NBC News.

Spencer has authored several books, some of which discuss his family history, while others focus on royal figures such as King Charles II. He has five daughters and two sons from his first three marriages, according to information on his website.

The relationship between Diana and Spencer - who are only three years apart in age - was very close during their childhood, as they grew up in "Althorp House," a lavish family estate surrounded by green spaces in West Northamptonshire. Spencer recalls their early years with warm feelings, noting that they spent a lot of time together, especially during their parents' separation.

However, their relationship - like many sibling relationships - was not without disagreements and quarrels. Details of their disputes were recorded in a series of letters that were revealed during the trial of Diana's former butler for theft in 2002.

The Telegraph reported - which covered the trial proceedings - that Diana's request for accommodation in "Garden House" located within the family estate, following her separation from Prince Charles (his title at the time), was initially approved, but Spencer later rejected the request and instead suggested other properties within the family estate. Another letter presented during the trial referred to a phone call between the siblings, during which Diana abruptly ended the call in her brother's face.

Despite this disagreement, Spencer delivered a moving eulogy in 1997, praising Diana and describing her as "a living embodiment of compassion, duty, elegance, and beauty." In that speech, he recalled memories of their childhood, where Diana "cared for me like a mother when I was a baby, fought with me at school, and endured long train journeys between our parents' homes on weekends."

Spencer harshly criticized the British press for its treatment of his sister, whom he described as "the most pursued person of the modern age." The eulogy was met with applause, both inside the church and from the crowds listening outside.

Does he have a friendly relationship with the British royal family? Spencer had warm feelings towards Charles shortly after the then Prince of Wales met Diana at Althorp House in 1977.

Spencer told Afaq News in 1999, speaking about the couple's wedding plans: "He was very nice and charming; so I was completely comfortable with it, in fact. The fact that he was Prince Charles was exceptional, of course, but other than that, I was more interested in my exams and playing sports at school."

However, that relationship saw a significant public deterioration in recent days. A war of words erupted on Wednesday after Spencer stated that his former brother-in-law told him - days after Diana's death - that she would soon be forgotten, according to excerpts published by the Daily Mail from Spencer's upcoming book.

Buckingham Palace issued a rare response to Spencer's claims, stating that "the pain of sibling loss can cloud judgment and affect perceptions in ways that others may not realize, even many years after such a loss." It is noted that the comments attributed to Charles had not been previously disclosed.

In a 1999 interview, Spencer told Afaq News that Charles was "very polite" on the day of the funeral. Spencer added, "We all took the train together from London to go to the burial at my family's home, and he did not say anything offensive to me regarding that matter.",

Some commentators pointed to the potential impact of these revelations on Princes William and Harry amid their strained relationship, especially following the sudden return of the "Sussexes" (known for maintaining close ties with the Spencer family). Earlier this year, Harry and Meghan - accompanied by their children - visited Diana's historic family home, where the late princess was buried on a small island closed to the public.

The year 2024 also saw Harry's brief return to the UK for the tenth anniversary of the "Invictus Games," where he received support from several members of the Spencer family who attended the celebration; Harry was seen chatting with his aunt, Lady Jane Fellowes - who was sitting directly behind him with his uncle - before the event began. Thus, the latest public clash between the Spencer and Windsor families represents a test of alliances within the British royal family; while many hoped that the return of the "Sussexes" would mark a new beginning for the family, it seems that new fractures are beginning to emerge on the horizon.