New Claim from Earl Spencer's Memoir: Charles Allegedly Said 'We Will Soon Forget Her' After Diana's Death

Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, has once again shocked the public with a controversial claim in his forthcoming memoir. In the book, titled Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, he alleges that King Charles III — then still Prince of Wales — made a scathing remark just days after Princess Diana's tragic death in 1997. According to Spencer, Charles said, "We will soon forget her." The claim has immediately sparked fierce debate about the relationship between the two men and how the royal family handled public mourning at the time.

The memoir, excerpts of which were published exclusively by the Daily Mail ahead of its official UK launch on September 22, reveals behind-the-scenes details of the preparations for Diana's funeral. Spencer says he initially opposed Charles's decision for his two sons, Prince William (15) and Prince Harry (12), to walk behind their mother's coffin. He argued that Diana would not have wanted her children to suffer psychological trauma from such intense public scrutiny.

However, Charles is said to have insisted and even cited his own experience walking in the funeral procession for Lord Mountbatten 18 years earlier. When Spencer pointed out that Charles had been 30 at the time, not a teenager, he claims Charles "became very angry." In his memoir, Spencer writes that Charles then made a remark he regarded as an insult to Diana: "'Don't worry,' he hissed, 'we will soon forget her!'" Spencer says he was shocked and took a few seconds to reply, "I can't believe you just said that."

Nevertheless, Spencer ultimately joined the procession alongside William, Harry, Charles, and Prince Philip. At the service at Westminster Abbey, he delivered a speech that has since been recognized as one of the most influential speeches of the 20th century. The speech itself caused tension with the royal family because of its critical tone toward their treatment of Diana.

"I wrote this book to correct the untruths that have circulated about Diana," Spencer said in a statement quoted from his memoir.

Context for Indonesia: For Indonesians, this story is not merely a foreign royal drama. The public in Indonesia has an emotional bond with Princess Diana, who was widely known for her visits in the 1990s and her dedication to humanitarian issues. The case also mirrors how the media and the public scrutinize the private lives of public figures, and how the royal family adapts to the pressures of the times. In the digital era, claims like this spread quickly and can influence public perception of the monarchy as an institution, including in neighboring countries with royal systems such as Malaysia and Thailand.

Some royal commentators believe the memoir could reopen old wounds within the Windsor family, especially as King Charles seeks to build a modern and inclusive image. "It is a reminder that the royal family's official narrative often does not align with the personal experiences of its members," said a royal analyst who declined to be named. He added that the publication could trigger a broader discussion about mental health and media pressure on public figures.

So far, Buckingham Palace has not responded to the allegations. However, serialization of the memoir in the Daily Mail is expected to remain in the global spotlight at least until the book is officially released. The question is whether this claim will change how the public views King Charles, or instead reinforce Diana's legacy as an icon for the ages?