Charles Spencer recounts claims about King Charles after Diana’s death
New book extracts quote Diana’s brother Charles Spencer describing his impressions of the then-Prince Charles after her death in 1997.
London, United Kingdom. King Charles III has responded through a spokesperson to claims by Charles Spencer, the brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, in extracts from his forthcoming book published by the Daily Mail.
Spencer wrote that the then-Prince Charles appeared “giddily elated” after Diana’s death in 1997 and said Diana had contemplated suicide at Beachy Head.
Claims in forthcoming book
Spencer wrote that he spoke to Charles shortly after Diana’s death was confirmed. He said the prince sounded unlike other callers, who were stunned and struggled to offer condolences and help.
“Unlike my other callers, who were stunned, barely able to articulate their condolences and offers of help, he sounded giddily elated – like a lottery winner, I remember thinking at the time,” Spencer wrote.
He added that, in retrospect, he suspected Charles’ first reaction may have been that Diana’s death freed him to marry the woman he loved, rather than focusing on the loss of someone “he did not”.
Diana’s later years
The latest extracts also state that Diana drove more than once to Beachy Head, described by Spencer as the highest chalk sea cliff in England, while considering ending her life.
“It is a sad fact that, in her later years, Diana drove herself more than once to Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in England, while contemplating ending it all,” Spencer wrote.
He said her love for her sons, William and Harry, stopped her from going further.
Palace response
Buckingham Palace said on Wednesday that it did not comment on books as a matter of principle, but issued a statement on behalf of the king following earlier extracts.
“His Majesty 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,” a spokesperson said.
There was no further comment from the king on the latest excerpts.
Diana and Charles
Diana was killed aged 36 when the car carrying her and her lover, Dodi al-Fayed, crashed in Paris while speeding away from paparazzi photographers on motorbikes.
Charles and Diana separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996. In a 1995 BBC interview, Diana referred to Charles’ relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles, saying there had been “three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded”.
Charles married Camilla in 2005.
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