Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, is facing accusations of “cashing in” on his sister’s legacy with his new memoir, “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.” Described as a brother’s tribute to Diana, the book hit UK shelves on September 22 and offers a deeply personal account of her life and their relationship. The memoir also makes several striking claims about her former husband, now King Charles.
British politician calls out Charles Spencer over his book based on Princess Diana’s life
Zac Goldsmith, former UK Foreign Office Minister for the International Environment, Climate, Forests, Ocean, has accused Charles Spencer of “cashing in” on Princess Diana with his new book.
The British politician took a shot at Spencer on X, writing, “If his stories were even partially true, he’d have blurted them years ago when the feelings were raw.”
“He certainly wouldn’t have waited 30 years,” Goldsmith added. He’s cashing in his dead sister, who he treated appallingly in her hour of need.” While he did not specify how Spencer treated Princess Diana “appalingly,” it appeared to be a nod to the rumors that the Earl was not on talking terms with his sister at the time of her death in the tragic 1997 car crash.
There were also rumors that Charles Spencer refused to let the Princess move back to her family’s Althorp estate. During a BBC 4 interview in 2016 (via PEOPLE), the author clarified that he had denied her residence at Althorp, believing that it was the right thing to do. He said, “Diana had a lovely dream that she could live a normal life afterward.”
“But the one house that she set her heart on in the park [at the family home of Althorp] was three bedrooms and 100 yards from the road,” Spencer explained. “And it was just not possible. The police knew it wouldn’t work. I offered every other property that was suitable on the estate. I really felt it was the right decision for her. But she probably couldn’t see it.”
