Charles Spencer Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Tensions Over Princess Diana’s Funeral

Nearly three decades after Princess Diana’s death, her brother Charles Spencer is revealing new details about the tense discussions surrounding her funeral, including a disputed decision over her music, whether her young sons should walk behind her coffin, and an alleged remark from then-Prince Charles.

In his forthcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, Spencer recalls the difficult days following Diana’s death in Paris in August 1997, as members of the family and royal household worked to arrange her funeral. The book is scheduled for release on September 22, 2026.

Spencer writes that his sisters knew Diana had wanted Mozart’s Requiem to be performed at her funeral. According to his account, when he passed along the request, it was rejected on the grounds that the work could not be performed at an Anglican funeral.

Spencer later says he discovered that explanation was incorrect. His account adds another layer to the complicated discussions over how Diana’s final service should be conducted.

Another major disagreement concerned whether Princes William and Harry should walk behind their mother’s coffin during the funeral procession. Spencer says he objected strongly, believing Diana would not have wanted her sons—then just 15 and 12—to be placed in such a painful public position.

Despite Spencer’s objections, William and Harry ultimately joined their father, Prince Philip and their uncle in the procession on September 6, 1997. The image of the two young princes walking behind their mother’s coffin became one of the most enduring and emotionally difficult images from Diana’s funeral.

Spencer also makes a particularly controversial claim about a conversation with Charles during the funeral planning. He says the then-Prince of Wales told him, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.” Spencer presents the alleged comment as part of a heated disagreement over the funeral arrangements.

The claim has not been independently established. Buckingham Palace issued an unusual response, saying that it does not normally comment on books but noting that the pain of losing a sibling can affect judgment and color memories of events many years later.

Spencer has stood by his recollection, saying he believes he is telling the truth about what happened. The disagreement has renewed attention on the complicated relationship between Diana, the royal family and her brother during the days immediately following her death.

Diana died in a Paris car crash on August 31, 1997. Her funeral took place at Westminster Abbey on September 6, drawing millions of mourners and worldwide attention. Nearly 30 years later, Spencer’s memoir is offering his personal account of those extraordinary days—while also reopening questions about decisions that were made behind the scenes.

Source: People.com