Charles Spencer, the younger brother of the late Princess Diana, declined to answer a question about his nephew Prince Harry’s estrangement from the royal family during a cover-story interview with People published Monday.
When asked about Harry’s 2023 memoir, “Spare,” and the Duke of Sussex’s ongoing rift with his brother Prince William, the 9th Earl Spencer simply asked the interviewer, “Is it all right if we don’t do too much Harry stuff?” The reporter agreed, and Spencer thanked them.
Harry and William have not spoken publicly to each other since the memoir’s publication, though Harry has reconciled with his father, King Charles, on several occasions since then.
Book Reaction
Spencer’s own memoir, “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,” is set for release Tuesday. He told People that when he informed Harry and William about the book, Harry joked he hoped there was “nothing embarrassing about him” in it.
“I told [him and William] at the same time, and all I would say is one was… I can say that Harry is completely fine about it,” Spencer said, without detailing William’s reaction specifically.
Spencer said he believed the brothers were initially concerned about how the book might portray them. “I think they were actually worried where I was going up to with the book,” he said. “I think it’s natural that people so in the public eye are concerned how they will come across in the book.”
He said he reassured both nephews that he had not compromised their privacy, describing their portrayal in the book as depicting “two little boys who had the most exceptional mother.”
Harry last visited Spencer at his Althorp estate in July. He has since relocated to England with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children.
Charles Pushes Back
Excerpts from Spencer’s memoir have included pointed claims about King Charles’s reaction to Diana’s fatal car crash in August 1997, which Spencer described as “elated.”
Spencer acknowledged he was concerned the book’s contents about the king might trouble his nephews. “I don’t want this to sound loaded, but there was an awful lot I could have put in and I didn’t,” he said. “If I wanted to write a scandalous book about Prince Charles or King Charles as he is now, it would really be a jaw-dropper, but I’m not here to do that.”
Harry reportedly was not caught off guard by the claims, having been informed of them in advance.
William has not commented publicly on the book. Buckingham Palace, however, issued a statement last week on behalf of King Charles addressing the allegations.
“His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and color memory in ways others do not recognize, even many years after such a loss.”
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