Charles Spencer’s biggest critics have punched themselves out in a matter of days, mostly because Spencer is responding to criticism in real time and answering his critics. One of the dumbest arguments I’ve seen against Spencer and his book Swan Song is that he is bringing up painful memories for his nephews, Prince Harry and Prince William, and something something how dare Spencer write about Diana. In Spencer’s BBC interview, he addressed this, saying: “I don’t like to talk about what I’ve been speaking about to William and Harry, but this will not be a surprise to them. I will tell you that these words will not be a surprise to them.” Prince Harry’s camp has indicated that none of this is a shock either, that Harry knew about the book and he wasn’t surprised. I would also assume that Prince William got a heads-up, although it probably wasn’t as much of a heads-up as Harry received. Additionally, Spencer addressed the rift between his nephews:
Charles Spencer revealed where he stands when it comes to the rift between his nephews, Prince William and Prince Harry, the children of his late sister, Princess Diana.
The 9th Earl Spencer spoke with the BBC for an interview released in full on Sunday, Sept. 20, to discuss his new book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, which comes out Sept. 22.
When asked about the tumultuous relationship between William, 44, and Harry, 42, and his viewpoint on it, Spencer, 62, said, “I think there is a perception in the media that I am on Harry’s side. Well, I’m on my deceased sister’s sons’ side, both of them.”
“And if either of them wanted anything, then I’d be equally there for them. And I never get involved in one camp or the other, except as a benign figure, I hope,” he continued.
Further explaining to the BBC that there are a “lot of reasons on both sides” why William and Harry’s sibling relationship “got to this stage,” Spencer said, “I hope one day it’s resolved.”
“But I don’t know all,” he added. “I certainly don’t know what’s been done in the finer detail and so I would feel intrusive if I got more involved than to say of course a mother would want her two sons to be happy together and love each other.”
I think this is correct from Spencer’s perspective, although I’d be willing to bet that William sees it differently. William has spent years making everyone “choose” between him and Harry. William maintains that no one can maintain relationships with both brothers, and that if someone is still close to Harry, William will cut them off completely. William literally did that with the York princesses and with the whole-ass Archbishop of Canterbury. William has done that “choose which side you’re on” BS with many of his oldest friends and Harry’s oldest friends. Maybe it’s different with Charles Spencer, but I strongly suspect that once Spencer started showing up for Harry, William was completely done with his uncle.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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- Earl Spencer is greeted by his nephews the Duke of Cambridge (right) and Duke of Sussex (left) as he arrives for unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, on what would have been her 60th birthday. Picture date: Thursday July 1, 2021. .,Image: 619024740, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- The Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex arrive for the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, on what would have been her 60th birthday. Picture date: Thursday July 1, 2021. .,Image: 619024523, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- The Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex arrive for the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, on what would have been her 60th birthday. Picture date: Thursday July 1, 2021. .,Image: 619024551, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- (left to right) Guy Monson, a member of the statue committee, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of Cambridge and garden designer Pip Morrison, during the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of the Dukes’ mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, on what would have been her 60th birthday. Picture date: Thursday July 1, 2021. .,Image: 619024558, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- (left to right) The Duke of Sussex, the Duke of Cambridge and garden designer Pip Morrison, during the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of the Dukes’ mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, on what would have been her 60th birthday. Picture date: Thursday July 1, 2021. .,Image: 619024585, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- Earl Spencer at the unveiling of a statue of his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, on what would have been her 60th birthday. Picture date: Thursday July 1, 2021. .,Image: 619024591, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- The Duke of Cambridge (left) and Duke of Sussex look at a statue they commissioned of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, on what would have been her 60th birthday. Picture date: Thursday July 1, 2021. .,Image: 619024624, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- The Duke of Cambridge (right) and the Duke of Sussex during the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, on what would have been her 60th birthday.,Image: 619146815, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Dominic Lipinski / Avalon
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- The Duke of Cambridge (right) and the Duke of Sussex during the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, on what would have been her 60th birthday. Picture date: Thursday July 1, 2021.,Image: 619146819, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- The Duke of Sussex during the unveiling of a statue commissioned of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, on what would have been her 60th birthday. Picture date: Thursday July 1, 2021.,Image: 619146822, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- The Duke of Cambridge (right) and Duke of Sussex ahead of the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, on what would have been her 60th birthday. Picture date: Thursday July 1, 2021.,Image: 619146837, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- The Duke of Sussex with his uncle Earl Spencer, at the unveiling of a statue of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, on what would have been her 60th birthday.,Image: 619146847, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Dominic Lipinski / Avalon
Yeah, William doesn’t share.
He demands total fealty, because he’s an insecure, petty, spoiled, petulant brat, like his father.
Charles Spencer comes across as very credible in these interviews. It’s funny how much the press is trying with “how DARE he” and quite rightly he calmly points out he has every reason to do this. I am enjoying imagining the various left behind residences right now.
Good answer. In an alternate universe, Diana’s boys teaming up with their uncle would win against the Chuck and Cam camp and UK would have a totally different monarchy. But Willnot chose to become a Windsor.
The door should always be open for Williams children. Especially the ones breaking out of the fishbowl.
Well said! A bridge closed for Kensington Palace!
Is equally there for his children…? He seems to have no contact with those from his first marriage. Sure, go ahead and write the book. I believe his story of his conversations with Charles rings truthfully, but this is a man who is known to have been very abusive his first wife, refers to his other former wives as double divorcees and who while Diana was alive he let down. (Wasn’t here some story that she wanted to seek refuge at Althorp at some point and he said no?) I can’t quite take him taking the moral high ground. He has been self-serving before and while this book serves to support Diana’s truth, it also is written to serve him some purpose. What that purpose is, I don’t know, and Charles Spencer is no hero. And I really feel for Diana’s children and grandchildren.
The rumour that he denied Diana a house on Althorp was not only debunked, he won 2 lawsuits against tabloids publishing the lie. They had to publish an apology.
Spencer makes no secret of his failed marriages and that he is a flawed man. I don’t see how his shortcomings as a husband and father have any meaning when he is talking about his sister and the RF 30 years ago. Discrediting his character doesn’t change facts. We already see journalists coming out and backing him.
Fair enough. I don’t know enough or have followed the stories closely and admit many will know more and better than I but, I still feel wary of him. I guess it’s just my feeling. One reason we all believe him is because while these quotes from K. Charles are insane new details, we also believe them because now after decades of stories about K.Charles, we can say, yup that sure sounds like him. I am imagining what might have happened if Charles S. had revealed this information when everyone still thought poor POW Charles was the sad ex-husband. People would have been slower to believe Charles S. then – but potentially sharing those details then could have changed the course of history. If they had seen Charles’ callous side then, the never would have let him marry Camilla, and that evil woman would have done much less harm.
The Earl Spencer is sober now, and looking really healthy as a result. It seems he is healing from his own childhood trauma. No one is a perfect person, and people with childhood trauma often have failed marriages etc before they work on healing. Healing doesn’t just happen, it’s hard work.
Reportedly, he has relationships with all 7 of his children now. But I guess if you’re coming from a place of perfection, go ahead and judge.
That’s great to hear!
“ I don’t know enough or have followed the stories closely and admit many will know more and better than I but, I still feel wary of him. I guess it’s just my feeling.”
It isn’t ‘just your feeling’, like many people, you have conducted your life under a barrage of press headlines and inorganic social media activity imprinting these ‘broad facts’ as a sort of background radiation. It purposeful conditioning. That’s why that feeling, ‘the vibe’, has taken hold in you as negative towards CS even as you don‘t follow these articles and online comments closely. There is a steady stream of propaganda and media messages smoothing the path for this very outcome.
I’m tired of people repeating this lie for the last 30 years because they don’t even use Google.
The daughters from his first marriage don’t talk to him. But Louis, the son from his first marriage and heir, lives in Althorp and has a relationship with him. The younger kids too.
Kaiser. William definitely seems to think everyone in their circle is required to choose a side. That’s why it’s so wise and loving for the Earl NOT to choose—it shows what a good uncle he really is. It does make me wonder where his sisters stand, though. What do the boys’ aunts think of all this? I’d love to know their perspective, not just on the book, but on Willy’s spoiled rotten, hateful-ass behavior.
Since the aunts are supposed to have attended Lili’s christening and visited Montecito, I imagine William has written them off and there is no contact between them. I wouldn’t be surprised if we learn that they have never met the children. I imagine that as an adult, Harry is the one who has made a point of keeping in touch with the Spencers. I remember a newly-wed Harry and Meghan attending a Spencer cousin wedding, but William did not make an appearance.
Kate and William met Archie but not Lilibet.
Tamsin is writing about the Spencer aunts, not W&K
It’s also a stretch to talk about W&K “getting to know” Archie. They’ve likely only seen him once—at the christening—and that’s it.