A new book by Earl Spencer has reignited controversy surrounding Princess Diana’s death and her relationship with the Royal Family, with royal commentators arguing that Prince William has been unfairly drawn back into painful events from his childhood.
Earl Spencer recently published Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, a book intended to celebrate the life and legacy of his sister, who died in 1997. While the memoir pays tribute to Diana, it also contains allegations and claims concerning members of the Royal Family, including her former husband, King Charles.
One of the most controversial claims concerns Charles’s reaction following Diana’s death. Earl Spencer has alleged that the King behaved like a “lottery winner” after the death of his former wife and the mother of his two sons.
Buckingham Palace responded with a statement noting that grief can “cloud” memory.
Prince William (Image: Getty)
Prince William remains silent
Despite the controversy surrounding his uncle’s book, Prince William has made no public comment about its contents.
The Prince of Wales is believed to have been informed by Earl Spencer about the book weeks before its release, although reports suggest he learned the specific contents at the same time as the wider public.
That has prompted discussion among royal commentators about the position William has been placed in as Diana’s eldest son.
Earl Charles Spencer seems to have no regrets about his book (Image: Getty Images)
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, royal editor Matt Wilkinson questioned whether it was fair for William’s own work and public engagements to become part of the controversy surrounding the memoir.
“I just think it’s unfair that he gets dragged into it,” Wilkinson said.
He argued that William’s professional life and royal engagements were being brought into the discussion through his uncle’s book, despite William reportedly not knowing what would be included.
Royal author Ingrid Seward, who appeared alongside Wilkinson, also commented on William’s response, saying she believed he had handled the situation extremely well while suggesting that the controversy would nevertheless be deeply upsetting for him.
Claims about William’s reaction
William himself has not publicly stated that he is angry about the book.
However, reports cited by the Express have claimed that sources close to the Prince believe he is deeply unhappy that the events surrounding Diana’s death have once again become the subject of public controversy.
One source quoted by RadarOnline.com said William viewed the subject differently from those treating it as historical material, because the events involved his mother, his father and what the source described as one of the most traumatic periods of his childhood.
The same source claimed William had spent years hoping Diana’s memory would be treated with dignity rather than repeatedly becoming the focus of new disputes.
The source also suggested that the fact the latest allegations came from Diana’s own brother had made the situation particularly difficult for William.
A painful chapter brought back into public view
The controversy comes as the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death approaches, adding another layer to the debate surrounding the memoir.
For William and his younger brother Prince Harry, their mother’s death remains part of their personal history rather than simply a chapter in the story of the monarchy.
The claims made in Swan Song: Diana, My Sister have therefore prompted renewed discussion about how Diana’s legacy should be remembered and who should have the right to tell her story.
While Earl Spencer has presented the book as a tribute to his sister, some of the allegations contained within it have reopened old questions about Charles, Diana and the circumstances surrounding the period following her death.
William has so far chosen not to respond publicly, leaving royal commentators and sources to interpret his silence as the controversy continues.