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Charles Spencer’s new book, “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,” is already bringing the royal family to the front pages of tabloids for all the wrong reasons. Out Sept. 22, the memoir puts the spotlight on King Charles, with claims that he told Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, on the phone after Diana’s death, “We’ll forget her soon enough.”

In an excerpt from the book, which leaked after it was reported to have been stolen from a truck in the Netherlands, Spencer claims that he and then-Prince Charles argued over Spencer’s demands that a young Prince William and Prince Harry not walk in their mother’s funeral procession in front of millions of eyes during a time of great mourning, insisting that Diana would not have wanted it. Spencer wrote that Charles unbolted “a stream of anger” over the issue, saying “Rest assured … we’ll forget her soon enough.”

Members of the royal family are known for keeping a stiff upper lip in matters of controversy, but the book’s excerpt prompted a quick response from the palace, which shared a statement, per the BBC, saying: “While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss.” Despite the controversy — or because of it — the book has already hit No. 1 on the charts.

Charles Spencer’s first book about the former Princess of Wales is already an Amazon No. 1 bestseller. Royal fans and pundits eagerly await his perspective on the late princess, as one of the few close allies she had during her turbulent life as a royal.

It’s no surprise that her brother’s book has hit the top of the charts, as interest in Princess Diana’s life and legacy remains remarkably strong even decades after her death, with each new personal anecdote about her consistently attracting a huge amount of curiosity. When Prince Harry released his 2023 autobiography, “Spare,” part of the anticipation centered on what he would reveal about his mother, including his childhood memories and the moment he learned she had died.

Hundreds of biographies, memoirs, and photo collections of Princess Diana have been created over the years, but Charles Spencer’s book offers something distinct — a family perspective shaped by shared childhood, private memories, and decades of grief and remembrance.

The 9th Earl Spencer draws on childhood memories, family experiences, and his firsthand knowledge of Diana to explore their close bond and her transformation into a global icon, while revealing new details into her thoughts on motherhood, public service, a difficult marriage, and the relentless press attention. Spencer also writes about the devastating events surrounding Diana’s untimely death in 1997.

“Swan Song: Diana, My Sister” is the latest book to be released about the “People’s Princess.”

The book was based on recordings that Diana’s friend, Dr. James Colthurst, made with her consent before passing them to Morton, who used the tapes as the basis for the book. Diana’s involvement in the recordings was not publicly revealed until after her death. The result was an unusually candid account of her marriage, life within the royal family, personal struggles, hopes, and fears. The fully revised 25th-anniversary edition includes additional material from the recordings made with Diana, while also exploring her enduring legacy and influence on the modern monarchy.

The lavish collection includes a foreword by royal journalist and biographer Tina Brown, who spent one-on-one time with the late princess during a lunch at the Four Seasons in New York just weeks before her death.

He recounts his years serving Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, and Princess Diana, alongside stories about palace life, royal relationships, and Diana’s marriage. Despite being a point of contention for Prince William and Prince Harry, who’ve publicly admonished him for revealing personal details about Diana for financial gain, this memoir is only one of several royal tell-alls penned by Burrell. The former royal butler also wrote “The Way We Were: Remembering Diana” in 2006; “A Royal Duty” in 2003; and “In the Royal Manner: Expert Advice on Etiquette and Entertaining” in 1999.

The book traces Diana’s journey from her aristocratic childhood through marriage, royal life, divorce, charitable work, media scrutiny, and her death in 1997. Published by Hourly History, a publisher specializing in quick-read history books, the title provides an accessible overview for readers seeking a concise introduction to Diana’s short life.

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Sophie Dunne is an E-Commerce Writer at Penske Media Corporation, writing across WWD, Footwear News, Billboard, Rolling Stone, and The Hollywood Reporter. Originally from Ireland and based in Los Angeles, she previously worked at Static Media as a writer and editor across all brands, covering entertainment, lifestyle, fashion, and travel. Her bylines have appeared in Women’s Health, The List, Women.com, Islands, Grunge, WebMD, and more. Before beginning her writing career in 2019, Dunne lived in Dubai for four years, working as an Emirates Cabin Crew Member. Having traveled to 71 countries with the airline, she began writing for an LA-based publication as a travel writer during her final year. Dunne has a degree in Humanities from Carlow College, St. Patrick’s (now South East Technological University) in her native Ireland. She studied English, history, philosophy, and psychology.