King Charles reportedly confided in a royal staffer after Diana’s death as Earl Spencer claims he told him ‘we’ll forget her soon enough’
King Charles’ poignant words to royal staff following Diana’s death have been unveiled after 29 years, amidst a verbal tussle with her brother.
Earl Spencer alleges in his latest memoir that merely days after Diana’s demise, the now King insensitively told him “rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough”.
Diana’s sibling writes that this comment was made during a phone conversation between them, a claim which the Palace suggests may be ‘clouded’ by ‘fraternal grief’.
Royal expert and author of the Sunday Times bestseller Our King: Charles III, Robert Jobson, contends that while only two men will know the truth of what transpired on that call, the King was visibly ‘heartbroken’ following Diana’s death.
Jobson stated in The Sun: “In reality, Charles was devastated after Diana’s death.”
He paid a visit to the Queen Mother’s long-time servant and confidant, William ‘Billy’ Tallon at Gatehouse Lodge and confided in him.
Charles expressed: “You know, we were very much in love in the early days.”
At her funeral, Jobson noted that Charles “looked close to tears”, contradicting the portrayal in Spencer’s new book.
The royal author attended Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997, and observed that Charles appeared “very emotional throughout. Heartbroken.”
His demeanour did not suggest he was “a man dismissive of England’s Rose,” Jobson added.
In the aftermath of Diana’s death, emotions were running high and tensions reportedly escalated between Spencer and King Charles, so Jobson advises that if the King’s comment is true, it needs to be viewed in context.
The Palace unusually rebutted the claims in a statement: “While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss.”
This response sparked what has been dubbed a “war” between Spencer and Charles, who are known to have a strained relationship.
However, Jobson points out that following Diana’s death, the King did advocate for his first wife.
He ensured Diana’s body was returned and that she received a ceremonial funeral despite their divorce.
He also stepped in when a jet was not dispatched to retrieve Diana’s body because she no longer held the HRH title, according to Robson.
All these actions, coupled with Charles’ admission to Tallon, suggest he “was more of a champion for the princess than has been suggested”.
Jobson added that Charles “can have a filthy temper…It flares up, it doesn’t last long, and he doesn’t hold grudges. He apologises soon afterwards.
“But he can say things in the heat of the moment, and it shouldn’t be dismissed that this could have been said.
“Funerals are one of the most emotional times for any family, royal or not.”