King Charles III and Earl Charles Spencer attending a formal royal event
Royals

Royal Drama: King Charles Slams Earl Spencer's Claims Over Princess Diana's Death

A sharp statement from the monarch directly addresses shocking allegations made in Charles Spencer's new book.

By Rae MitchellPublished Updated 2 min read

Royal tension has erupted into the open once again over the tragic loss of Princess Diana. In an explosive new book, her brother Earl Charles Spencer leveled startling allegations about how the current British monarch reacted behind closed doors following the 1997 Paris car crash. The shocking claims have instantly reignited long-standing questions about the royal family's private grief. According to the written account provided by Spencer, King Charles sounded surprisingly upbeat during discussions shortly after his ex-wife's death. Spencer claimed the monarch's overall tone was akin to someone who had just won the lottery, describing an atmosphere of unexpected elation during a time of global sorrow. The sensational claims have sent shockwaves across the pop-culture landscape, reigniting fierce debates over the royal family's private response to the tragic event. Spencer's published recollections present a controversial picture that sharply contrasts with the public narrative maintained for nearly three decades.

What did Charles Spencer say about King Charles?

Prince Charles in a tuxedo with a poppy and Princess Diana in a white and gold dress.
King Charles sounded “giddily excited” after ex-wife Princess Diana’s death, per Charles Spencer’s bombshell new book.

The incendiary excerpts did not stay unanswered by the monarch for very long. In a swift and blistering statement released on Wednesday, the sovereign addressed the controversial contents of Spencer’s book directly to defend his standing and set the record straight. The sharp royal pushback marked a rare public intervention in ongoing family disputes. Rather than ignoring the claims, the monarch delivered a targeted response centered on the psychological toll of devastating loss. The official statement highlighted how deep personal trauma can warp long-term recall, pointing out that severe grief has the power to cloud clear reason, impair sound judgment, and heavily color distant memories.

Close-up of Charles Spencer, brother of the late Princess Diana, looking down and to his left.
Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer (pictured above in July 2021), makes the claim in his upcoming “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister” book.

How did King Charles respond to Charles Spencer book?

Princess Diana and Prince Charles on their engagement day at Buckingham Palace.
Spencer’s tell-all recalls a conversation during which his ex-brother-in-law (pictured above in February 1981) allegedly sounded “like a lottery winner.”

By attributing Spencer's version of events to the distorting effects of tragic loss, the statement effectively dismantled the narrative of his alleged elation. The royal counter-strike signals that the crown will not let explosive claims in high-profile memoirs go unchecked without a firm public defense. This latest high-profile feud demonstrates how volatile the conversation around Princess Diana's final days remains in the public eye. Decades after her untimely death, competing recollections from those closest to her continue to spark intense royal drama and captivate audiences around the globe.

The photos · 6

King Charles III and Earl Charles Spencer attending a formal royal event
King Charles sounded “giddily excited” after ex-wife Princess Diana’s death, per Charles Spencer’s bombshell new book.
Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer (pictured above in July 2021), makes the claim in his upcoming “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister” book.
Spencer’s tell-all recalls a conversation during which his ex-brother-in-law (pictured above in February 1981) allegedly sounded “like a lottery winner.”
Charles (pictured above in October 1991) was allegedly “strangely matter-of-fact, given the enormity of the disaster,” Spencer writes.
“I suspect the prince’s first reaction must have been to think more of how this event might free him to marry the woman he loved, [Queen Camilla],” Spencer writes.

The backstory

Verified moments, in order.

Diana and the Royal Family: Marriage, Rupture and Mourning

A royal wedding, a public separation and a funeral watched around the world: the documented milestones in Diana’s relationship with the House of Windsor.

  1. 1981-07-29

    Diana marries the heir

    Princess Diana — Diana marries the heir

    Lady Diana Spencer marries Charles, Prince of Wales, at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. She becomes Princess of Wales; Charles is first in line to the throne.

  2. 1992-12-09Flashpoint

    The separation becomes official

    Princess Diana — The separation becomes official

    Prime Minister John Major announces the separation of the Prince and Princess of Wales in the House of Commons. The couple remain married and continue their royal duties.

  3. 1995-11-20Flashpoint

    Diana takes the marriage breakdown public

    Princess Diana — Diana takes the marriage breakdown public

    In a televised interview with Martin Bashir, Diana discusses Charles’s relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles, acknowledges her own relationship with James Hewitt and questions whether Charles will adapt to being king.

  4. 1996-08-28Flashpoint

    The divorce ends the royal marriage

    Princess Diana — The divorce ends the royal marriage

    Charles and Diana’s divorce becomes final. She is styled Diana, Princess of Wales, but no longer holds the style Her Royal Highness. She remains at Kensington Palace and continues to share responsibility for raising William and Harry.

  5. 1997-08-31

    Diana dies in Paris

    Princess Diana — Diana dies in Paris

    Diana dies from injuries sustained in a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel. Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul also die; bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones survives. Charles travels to Paris with Diana’s sisters to bring her body back to Britain.

  6. 1997-09-05Flashpoint

    The Queen addresses a grieving country

    Princess Diana — The Queen addresses a grieving country

    Queen Elizabeth II returns to London from Balmoral and delivers a televised tribute to Diana from Buckingham Palace. The address follows public criticism of the royal family’s response to Diana’s death.

  7. 1997-09-06Flashpoint

    A funeral puts the family divide on display

    Princess Diana — A funeral puts the family divide on display

    Diana’s funeral takes place at Westminster Abbey. William and Harry walk behind her coffin alongside Charles, Prince Philip and her brother, Earl Spencer. In his eulogy, Spencer pledges that Diana’s blood family will protect her sons and help them retain a connection to life beyond royal tradition.

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People also ask

What did Charles Spencer claim about King Charles?
In his new book, Charles Spencer alleged that King Charles sounded inexplicably elated and like a lottery winner following Princess Diana's fatal 1997 accident.
How did King Charles respond to Charles Spencer's book?
The monarch issued a sharp statement explaining that severe grief can cloud reason, affect personal judgment, and alter memories over time.