Katie Couric Shares Touching Recollections of Princess Diana on Charles Spencer's Memoir Tour
This conversation revealed just how lonely Princess Diana really was, following her divorce.
Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, has been very vocal about his shared history with his sister, taking a nostalgic look back at Diana’s life while promoting his new memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. Keeping with this theme, Spencer recently sat down with Kate Couric for her podcast, Next Question With Katie Couric, to discuss all things Diana. During this conversation, Couric shared her own interesting anecdote about meeting the late princess in Chicago back in the summer of 1996.
She opened the conversation by recalling how the former Princess of Wales once complimented her. Elaborating on the memory, she shared, “She was at this luncheon that was raising money for breast cancer research. I sat not next to her, but two seats away from her. She complimented my lipstick.” Describing her reaction to it, Couric admitted, “I was very flattered.” Beyond this, the renowned journalist also shared a surprising question Diana asked her, adding, “And then she was asking how to keep William and Harry from watching too much telly. Because I think they were young teenagers.”
Furthermore, while discussing the encounter, Couric described the Princess as “really lovely and easy to talk to,” praising her for being beautiful, sweet, stylish, and very kind. She also recalled asking Diana if she was looking forward to returning home after a grueling schedule. Recounting the exchange, Couric shared, “I said, ‘This must be exhausting, you know, traveling all over the country.’ I don’t know how many cities she was going to, but you know, just exhausting, shaking hands, making small talk, meeting person after person after person. I said, ‘You must be so excited to go home.’” But Diana’s response was heartbreaking, as she said, “Yes, but I’ll be going home to an empty house.”
During the podcast, Couric also asked Spencer whether he is close to his nephews, Prince William and Prince Harry. In response, Spencer explained that he refuses to take sides in the ongoing rift. He elaborated, saying, “Look, first of all, I’m not on anyone’s side, but I think there are occasions when Harry may need me more. So, I hear a lot more from Harry, but that doesn’t mean I’m totally equal. I’m just their mother’s brother.” Beyond this, he downplayed his role, adding, “Well, I’m just an elderly uncle, really. I’ve always taken the view since Diana died that I’m there if needed and I’m if not… So I think these are two men in their 40s, and they can make of me what they want.”
