‘Grief Can Cloud Reason’: King Charles Respond To Diana Brother’s ‘Forget Her Soon Enough’ Claim

Last Updated:September 17, 2026, 06:51 IST

Spencer alleges that Charles made the remark during a heated phone call over whether Diana’s sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, should walk behind her coffin at her funeral.

Britain’s Prince Charles with his wife Princess Diana in front of Lodge Canberra, Australia. (AP file photo)

Britain’s King Charles has issued a rare response to claims by his late first wife Princess Diana’s brother that the then-Prince Charles said she would be forgotten “soon enough” days after her death.

The claim appears in a forthcoming memoir by Charles Spencer, according to a report by the Daily Mail, which is due to serialise the book. Spencer alleges that Charles made the remark during a heated phone call over whether Diana’s sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, should walk behind her coffin at her funeral.

Spencer’s Account Of Diana’s Funeral

Spencer reportedly objected to William and Harry taking part in the funeral procession, arguing that Diana would not have wanted her sons to do so. He said Charles responded with a “stream of anger” before allegedly telling him: “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.”

Diana died aged 36 in August 1997 after the car carrying her and Dodi al-Fayed crashed in Paris while being pursued by paparazzi. Her sons, then aged 15 and 12, walked behind her coffin at her funeral days later.

Diana had married Charles in 1981 before their relationship deteriorated and the couple divorced in 1996.

Palace Responds To Book Claims

Buckingham Palace made an unusual comment when asked about the allegations, while noting that it does not generally comment on books.

A Palace spokesperson 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”.

The statement did not directly address whether Charles made the alleged remark.

Spencer said the memoir aims to present Diana’s story from his perspective and that he wanted to “speak on Diana’s behalf” in a positive way.

The claims come nearly three decades after Diana’s death and are based on Spencer’s recollection of events surrounding the funeral.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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What did Charles Spencer claim King Charles said about Princess Diana after her death?

Charles Spencer claimed that during a heated phone call regarding Princess Diana’s funeral procession, the then-Prince Charles told him, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.” Spencer alleges this remark was made after he objected to Prince William and Prince Harry walking behind their mother’s coffin.

How did Buckingham Palace respond to Charles Spencer’s memoir allegations?

Buckingham Palace issued a rare statement noting that King Charles is 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.” The Palace’s response did not directly address whether King Charles actually made the alleged remark.

When did Princess Diana die and how old were Prince William and Prince Harry at her funeral?

Princess Diana died at the age of 36 in August 1997 following a car crash in Paris. At her funeral days later, her sons Prince William and Prince Harry were 15 and 12 years old, respectively, when they walked behind her coffin.

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