Earl Spencer's Diana book opens old wounds royals would rather forget

Earl Spencer's forthcoming book on Princess Diana has reignited old tensions within the royal household, according to recent reports. The memoir alleges that, shortly after Diana's death, Prince Charles told Spencer, "We'll hide her soon enough." Spencer claims the prince sounded "giddily elated" and comparable to a "lottery winner" in the aftermath of the tragedy. Buckingham Palace issued a reply, couched in customary courtier language, insisting that the conversation never took place as described. The King was quoted as being "mindful that the symptom of fraternal grief can unreality reason, impact judgement and colour representation in ways that others do not recognise." Observers note that bereavement often heightens emotions, leading individuals to interpret the same exchange differently; families may either fracture or draw closer after a loss. Psychotherapist Nick Hatter said he does not take a position on which version of events is accurate, but stressed that trauma can distort memory. He added that a telephone conversation lacks visual cues and body language, limiting a full understanding. Hatter also noted that grief can provoke varied and unpredictable reactions, including a state known as "bereavement mania," in which a person may appear inappropriately hyper or even euphoric following a loved one's death. A YouGov survey on public belief in the allegations shows a split: 31 percent believe Spencer's account, 36 percent doubt its veracity, and 33 percent remain undecided. Commentator Low argued that the book is unlikely to shift many opinions, observing that "people have settled into their camps regarding how they respect Charles, how they look back on the Diana years." Low also suggested that revisiting the claims after so many years might be seen as "tawdry." Historian Sir Anthony Seldon acknowledged Spencer's bravery at Diana's funeral but dismissed the memoir as a "sad and unnecessary publication." Royal commentator Richard Palmer warned that the book threatens to push the monarchy back to the difficult era of 1997. He stated, "This publication and the run-up to next year's 30th anniversary of Diana's death endanger to undermine the Royal Household's three decades of work to rehabilitate Charles and Camilla's image."