Earl Spencer has opened up about a heated telephone conversation with King Charles immediately following Princess Diana's death in 1997, claiming the then Prince went "ballistic" during their exchange. The revelation comes as Spencer promotes a forthcoming book in which he details his account of events surrounding his sister's fatal car crash in Paris.
In an exclusive interview with BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg, Spencer disclosed the nature of the call without providing extensive detail about what specifically triggered Charles's anger. The exact content of their conversation has remained private for over two decades, making this disclosure a notable moment in the ongoing public narrative around Diana's death and the royal family's response to the tragedy.
Spencer's willingness to speak publicly about this interaction reflects a pattern of the earl gradually revealing more candid details about the immediate aftermath of Diana's death. His comments add another layer to historical accounts of how the royal household managed the shock and turmoil following the princess's death in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel on August 31, 1997.
The timing of these revelations coincides with continued public interest in Diana's legacy and her relationship with the royal family. The incident has remained a flashpoint in discussions about the monarchy's handling of the tragedy and the tensions that existed between Diana's family and the palace during that period.
Charles, now King, was in Scotland when he learned of Diana's death. His immediate public response was measured and formal, but Spencer's account suggests that behind closed doors, his reaction was notably more volatile. The nature of royal protocol during moments of personal and institutional crisis often creates a gap between private emotions and public presentation, a dynamic Spencer appears to be addressing in his new work.
The book Spencer is promoting represents his personal testimony to the events of that period, offering his perspective on communications and interactions that have previously remained unpublicized. Such memoirs frequently generate renewed scrutiny of historical moments, particularly when they involve the British royal family and the enduring fascination with Princess Diana's life and death.
Spencer's comments also reflect the broader context of the royal family's relationship with the Spencer family in the years following Diana's death. His willingness to characterize Charles's emotional state in their private call marks a departure from the formal restraint typically maintained by those close to the royals when discussing internal family dynamics.