Earl Spencer's memoir alleges Charles's behaviour after Diana's death; Palace responds
Unbiased summary
Earl Spencer's forthcoming memoir 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister' includes claims about King Charles's conduct after Princess Diana's 1997 death, including an alleged remark that 'we'll forget her soon enough' and a 'giddy' tone. Buckingham Palace issued a rare statement questioning Spencer's account, attributing possible distortion to 'fraternal grief.' Spencer defended his claims in interviews with the BBC and CBS, saying he is an 'eyewitness to history' and not resentful, while also stating he knows more about the King that he omitted from the book. He said the claims would not surprise Princes William and Harry. Queen Camilla made a separate speech about togetherness, widely seen as a subtle response. The book is due for release this week.
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Coverage by outlet
The Mirror
centre-left
Angle
The Mirror amplifies Piers Morgan's personal attack on Earl Spencer, framing the memoir as a vengeful and resentful assault on the King.
Bias
The Mirror focuses almost exclusively on Piers Morgan's Twitter commentary, calling Spencer's book a 'vengeful resentful attack' and a 'parody.' It omits the substantive details of Spencer's claims, the Palace's statement, and Spencer's rationale. The outlet downplays any legitimacy in Spencer's account and presents Morgan's celebrity opinion as the primary news, straying from objective reporting into sensational commentary.
BBC News
centre-left
Angle
The BBC treats the dispute as a credibility clash, using Laura Kuenssberg's interview to test Spencer's recollections and present both sides fairly.
Bias
The BBC maintains a balanced investigative tone, detailing Spencer's claims and the Palace's response without endorsing either side. It emphasises the need to verify Spencer's memories and includes his 'meticulous detail' while noting the Palace did not explicitly deny the remarks. The coverage is measured, though it gives significant airtime to Spencer's perspective, which may imply a slight sympathy toward his narrative.
The Independent
centre-left
Angle
The Independent humanises Earl Spencer, centring his grief and his call for security for the Sussexes while also elevating his allegations against Mohamed al-Fayed.
Bias
The Independent's coverage focuses on Spencer's emotional state—describing his difficulty holding back tears and his 'never got over' loss—and expands on his claim that media treatment of Harry and Meghan mirrors Diana's. It also includes his allegations against al-Fayed, tying them to ongoing abuse scandals. This outlet omits much of the Palace's response and instead presents Spencer's perspective as credible, leaning toward a sympathetic portrayal that validates his criticism of the royals and media.
The Sun
right
Angle
The Sun frames Spencer as a threatening and mercenary figure, casting doubt on his credibility and amplifying the Palace's pushback.
Bias
The Sun highlights Spencer's comment that he 'knows lots of things' as a 'veiled threat' and repeatedly refers to the 'bitter war of words' and Spencer 'cashing in.' It emphasises the Palace's statement and questions Spencer's certainty, noting he admitted he was not sure about one claim. The outlet omits Spencer's emotional context and his broader points about media treatment, instead portraying him as a provocateur with ulterior motives.
GB News
right
Angle
GB News focuses on the royal family's unity and the disruption caused by Spencer, framing the row as an attack on the monarchy led by a divisive figure.
Bias
GB News leads with Queen Camilla's 'go together' message, interpreting it as a pointed rebuke to Spencer and an appeal for solidarity. The second piece highlights Spencer's new claim about Charles's remarks at the funeral, but frames it as a 'bombshell' and includes Palace criticism. The outlet's tone is sympathetic to the royals, emphasising their dignity while portraying Spencer's revelations as unnecessary and damaging.
Daily Mail
right
Angle
The Daily Mail sensationalises the 'war of words' while offering a platform for both serialised extracts and opposing columnists, inviting readers to judge for themselves.
Bias
The Daily Mail publishes exclusive extracts from the book and details Spencer's claims extensively, including his suggestion that William and Harry already knew about the allegations. It also features columnists both defending and attacking Spencer, and a poll asking which 'Charles' readers believe. The outlet emphasises the conflict and dramatic language ('searing,' 'destructive'), while balancing with Palace responses and sceptical commentary. Its bias is less one-sided than others but still prioritises sensationalism and audience engagement over impartial analysis.