Overview
- Advance extracts of Charles Spencer’s memoir published by British tabloids quote him saying the then‑Prince Charles told Spencer “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough” days after Princess Diana’s 1997 death.
- Buckingham Palace issued an unusual public statement saying grief can distort memory and did not directly confirm or deny the specific line Spencer attributes to the king.
- Spencer defended his recollection in broadcast interviews and press pieces, saying the words are exactly what he remembers and that he told friends and family about the call at the time.
- The dispute has reignited debate about Diana’s marriage and funeral arrangements and could increase emotional strain on Princes William and Harry as the family navigates the fallout.
- The controversy was driven by pre‑release tabloid serialisation of the book and comes days before the full memoir is due to be published, with further statements and reactions expected once the full text is available.