Charles Spencer is set to offer his most personal account yet of his relationship with his late sister, Princess Diana, in a new book titled Swan Song.
Described as an intimate and revealing portrait, the book will explore Spencer’s life alongside Diana, from their childhood together to the devastating week of her death in 1997. It is also expected to include new details and revelations that are likely to attract considerable attention.
In Swan Song, Spencer reflects on the close bond he shared with Diana as the two youngest members of the Spencer family. As children, they were inseparable and affectionately referred to one another by the nicknames “Duch” and “Carlos.” They grew up exploring the family estate together while also supporting each other through difficult experiences, including challenging boarding schools, frightening nannies and the painful breakdown of their parents’ marriage.
Their lives changed dramatically when Diana married the then-Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, and quickly became one of the most recognisable women in the world. Despite her global fame, Spencer remained one of the people who knew her best.
The book marks the first time Spencer has chosen to speak so extensively and publicly about his sister since her death. Explaining why he decided to write it now, with the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death approaching, Spencer said he had received an increasing number of requests to discuss her life.
Rather than continuing to see others shape the narrative surrounding his sister, he felt it was time to share his own memories and challenge accounts he believes have been distorted or based on misinformation.
Spencer said the purpose of Swan Song is to tell the truth about Diana from his perspective and to celebrate her life in a positive and personal way, much as he sought to do during his emotional funeral eulogy.
