Earl Spencer Hits Back at Michael Gove's Allegations Regarding Princess Diana
Earl Spencer demands The Spectator remove a podcast episode after serious accusations surfaced regarding his relationship with Princess Diana.
Charles Spencer's latest memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, has made headlines for its interpretation of the Earl's view of his late sister's life. In the book, Spencer details the immediate aftermath of Diana’s death in 1997, alleging that King Charles attempted to damage her legacy. The book continues to face criticism for its sensational claims; the controversy recently deepened following a September 22 episode of The Spectator's Quite Right! podcast. During the show, British politician and journalist Michael Gove discussed Spencer's memoir, addressing the book's assertions and Buckingham Palace's instant stern reaction. However, his comments did not sit well with the Earl, who is now threatening legal action.
During the conversation, Gove made some serious allegations, claiming that Spencer was trying to profit from his sister's death despite being on 'bad terms' with the late Princess of Wales in the months leading up to her tragic accident. He also asserted that the Earl refused to let his late sister take refuge at Althorp’s Garden House cottage in 1993 to escape media scrutiny prior to her divorce from Charles.
Enraged by the above accusations, the Earl's team hit back by sending a letter demanding the removal of said episode. "The Spectator's podcast claimed that in the summer of 1997 Diana asked her brother if she and her sons could stay with him to escape the press, and that he said no because the paparazzi would bother his family at Althorp. That is untrue. She never asked to stay that summer," Earl's spokesperson clarified.
"She would not have done so, as Althorp was open to the public throughout the summer months. But had she asked, he would have done everything possible to make it happen," the spokesperson stated, adding. "Earl Spencer never turned his sister away." According to GB News, the spokesperson explained that following her marital separation and police safety advice, Diana was presented with a choice of a dozen homes on the Althorp estate and Wormleighton Manor.
A correction regarding this was published by The Times in 2021, and Earl Spencer has requested The Spectator to set the record straight. Earl sent a stern warning through his representative, stating that people can have their opinions about his book, but they cannot fabricate details about his treatment of his sister. He is also contemplating a legal course of action, as reported by The Express.
Meanwhile, the Earl continues to back his allegations mentioned in the book. In a recent interview with the BBC, he stated that he was "telling the truth." While Buckingham Palace issued an instant response, dismissing the Earl's claims, the monarchy has now chosen to adhere to the "Never complain, never explain" golden rule.
