Although years have passed since Princess Diana's death in 1997, what happened at that time continues to be talked about. Now, a narrative included in Diana's older brother Charles Spencer's soon-to-be-published memoir has turned attention back to the royal family.
Spencer, who told about Diana's life and the events after her death from his own perspective in his book "Swan Song", also included in his book the phone conversation he had with the then-Prince Charles days after his sister's death.
According to excerpts from the book published by the Daily Mail, Spencer wrote that the meeting in question took place before Diana's funeral. Allegedly, the conversation started over whether Diana should attend the funeral of her sons, William and Harry, and quickly became tense.
WILLIAM AND HARRY WERE AT THE CENTER OF THE DISCUSSION
After Diana's death in a car accident in Paris on August 31, 1997, her role in the funeral of her sons William and Harry was also brought to the fore.
At that time, William was 15 years old and Harry was 12 years old. Spencer said she thought her sister would not want her children to walk in the funeral cortege and told Charles this. He then claimed that Charles became angry on the phone.
William and Harry walked behind their mother's coffin at her funeral on September 6, 1997. This image of the two brothers became one of the most striking moments remembered after Diana's death.
'HE CONTINUED TO VOICE HIS ANGER'
Spencer claimed in his book that his meeting with Charles became increasingly tense.
Diana's older brother wrote that Charles first continued to express his anger, then went silent for a short time. Spencer stated that he interpreted this silence as Charles trying to control him.
But according to Spencer's account, the conversation didn't end there. He claimed that Charles then spoke of his accumulated anger towards Diana and the public shock her death had caused.
'WE WILL FORGET HIM VERY SOON'
According to the claim in Spencer's book, Charles then said: "Rest assured. We will forget about him very soon!"
Stating that he was stunned by these words, Spencer stated that he said to Charles, "I can't believe you said that," before hanging up the phone.
UNUSUAL STATEMENT FROM THE PALACE
Following the publication of the sections in question from the book, a statement was made by Buckingham Palace. The palace spokesman stated that they do not comment on books as a principle. However, the statement continued, stating that King Charles knew the impact of the loss of a sibling on people.
The spokesperson said such a heavy loss can affect a person's judgment and cause the person to recall memories differently years later.
The palace's statement also noted that statements made years later may not reflect all of what happened at that time in the same way.
With this statement, the Palace did not directly confirm or deny the remarks in the phone call reported by Spencer. Instead, he emphasized the impact of grief and the passing years on human memory.
HOW DID THE MARRIAGE OF DIANA AND CHARLES END?
Charles and Diana got married in 1981. The couple announced their separation in 1992. Their divorce became final on August 28, 1996.
Diana died in a traffic accident in Paris on August 31, 1997, just one year after her divorce. His death caused great repercussions not only in England but also in many parts of the world.
THE BOOK BECAME THE AGENDA BEFORE IT WAS PUBLISHED
Charles Spencer's book "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister" is expected to be published on September 22. Spencer tells the story of his bookstaat sister from his own perspective, this time as her older brother. The first chapters published from the book caused a new royal controversy to begin even before the book was on the shelves.
