Swan Song Fallout: Inside the Monarchy’s Response to Earl Spencer’s Explosive Diana Book
EXCLUSIVE ANALYSIS: For both working members and private citizens, it's keep calm and carry on as Charles Spencer officially released Swan Song: Diana My Sister
'NEVER Complain, Never Explain' has long been the unofficial mantra which governed how the Royal Family responded to controversy.
But as Charles Spencer's new book, Swan Song: Diana My Sister, hits bookshelves, Buckingham Palace took almost unprecedented action in releasing a statement of rebuke. A spokesperson said that "fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise," in another moment that resonated with the Late Queen's previous "recollections may vary" statement. But as the memoir was released to the shops, the members of the Institution did what they do best - it was far less of a panic and more 'Keep Calm and Carry On'.
In particular, The King appeared to completely brush off the controversial release as he made a public appearance in Aberdeen. His Majesty met organisations from the city's local energy ecosystem where he gleefully shook hands and was all smiles as he conversed with staff at the Scottish site. Although Earl Spencer claimed that the then-Prince of Wales was "giddily elated like a lottery-winner" after Princess Diana's tragic death, former Buckingham Palace spokesperson Dickie Arbiter told me that he was in fact "devastated" after the 1997 Paris car crash. Now even Piers Morgan is threatening to sue the Earl over 'lies' and how he was depicted by Spencer in his book. Despite the impending press storm and his own cancer treatment, His Majesty was clearly determined to continue to make a difference and carry on his engagements across the Width and breadth of the country - especially for the local members of the energy supply chain in Scotland, including the Peterhead Energy Transition Forum.
The King was determined to carry on with his energy engagements in Aberdeen despite the press storm around Earl Spencer's book
Elsewhere, Prince William took a similar approach when he attended the independent ActOne cinema in London as part of his celebration of UK Film and Television. Eyewitnesses told the Royal Observer that the Prince of Wales ignored questions about his uncle's new book as he entered the venue. William was described as having displayed somewhat of a "concerned" facial expression as he kept completely silent when a member of the gathered crowd asked him how he felt about his uncle's new commercial release. However, images from inside the venue show William looking far more cheery as he served popcorn.
When he left the venue to carry out his next engagement, William only gave the gathered crowd a wave after one female member cheered "We love you, William" before he quickly strapped himself into the backseat of his car. Tonight, both the Prince and Princess of Wales are due to attend the Global Premiere of Digger, starring Tom Cruise, as the couple continue to support the Film and TV Charity.
One would have thought Prince Harry's UK return alone would have been enough of a story to warrant somewhat uncomfortable questions from the press. Although the Duke of Sussex seemed ecstatic to be back on home turf for his own award season, he cleverly avoided several awkward encounters. Last Thursday (September 17) was the date for the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards at the historic Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.
The event should have been nothing short of triumphant, as Harry celebrated veterans and service personnel surrounded by friends, including James Corden and the armed forces community that continues to value his patronage. As one member of the assorted crowd asked how he felt about his uncle's book, he ignored the question and looked straight ahead as he made his way into the event. Later, he was asked about his uncle again as he attended the highly anticipated WellChild Awards in London. Again, he chose not to respond, only to give a brief wave to the crowd gathered outside.
Even in Spare, although Harry depicts his father as someone who is not tactile, he does write about his 'Pa' with affection and as someone who is a sensitive soul at heart. Royal Watchers have had nothing but positive mood music since the private tea held with Meghan Markle, Archie, seven, Lilibet, five, and Queen Camilla at Highgrove over the summer. The Sunday Times reported that the Duke of Sussex felt "buoyed and energised" after the family meeting before he later announced his comeback to the UK. Could this new book threaten to derail the reconciliation? Especially as the King's staff intervened to keep Uganda in the Invictus Games after the Lord Chamberlain's letter.
But Earl Spencer claimed in a new interview that he spoke to both Prince William and Harry prior to the release of his book, where the Duke of Sussex raised his own concerns. Speaking to People, Spencer said: "I can say that Harry is completely fine about it ...He said, I hope there’s nothing embarrassing about him in it. I said, ‘There isn’t'." He admits that he told The Duke of Sussex at the same time as Prince William and his two sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, 71, and Lady Jane Fellowes, 69, all of whom were "surprised" about the book. Earl Spencer also admitted that both children of his sister were concerned over how their father was going to be portrayed in the biography. Spencer further told the publication: "If I wanted to write a scandalous book about Prince Charles or King Charles as he is now, it would really be a jaw-dropper, but I’m not here to do that.” With all the comments about their father, On Duty with the Royals author Dickie Arbiter speculated to the Royal Observer that William would "be very angry" about the claims made about his father in the book. With both brothers healing from grief, facing similar awkward circumstances with practically the same reactions, could this controversy involving the memory of their late mother be the very thing to bring them back together?
Additional reporting by Alex Seale and Lydia Alty.
