Charles Spencer, the brother of Princess Diana, has called for Prince Harry and his wife Meghan to be given official security protection. Spencer cited the couple's treatment by the media, which he believes is similar to how his late sister was treated in the years leading up to her death. Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 while being pursued by photographers on motorbikes.
Spencer's comments come as he prepares to publish his book about Diana, which has been highly critical of her former husband, now-King Charles. The book, titled Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, has made headlines worldwide with its accusations against the king. Spencer accused King Charles of making incendiary comments in the days after Diana's death, saying he sounded "giddily elated" in the hours after her passing.
The media treatment of Diana, and now Harry and Meghan, can be "really, really unpleasant", Spencer told the BBC. He believes it is essential to learn from the experience and provide protection to the royal couple. As the fifth-in-line to the British throne and a former soldier, Harry's position makes him vulnerable to media scrutiny. Spencer's comments are supported by Harry's past criticism of the government's decision to strip him and his family of automatic police protection.
The publication of Spencer's book and the surprise return of Harry and Meghan to Britain pose a challenge for King Charles, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. The king's office responded to Spencer's accusations, saying the monarch was "mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise". The palace's response highlights the ongoing tension between the royal family and Diana's family.
Spencer wrote the book to celebrate Diana's life ahead of the 30th anniversary of her death. He revealed that their childhood was marked by excitement, saying they both had ADHD. Spencer also mentioned that he had included a specific line in his eulogy at Diana's funeral to counter the comments he attributed to King Charles. The book has sparked a renewed debate about the media's role in Diana's death and the royal family's response.
The return of Harry and Meghan to Britain has sparked interest in their relationship with the royal family. Diana's family accused the royals of showing a lack of support and care towards the late princess before her death, a charge repeated by Harry and Meghan before they quit royal duties in 2020. The couple's decision to move abroad and pursue a more private life has been a subject of controversy.
Spencer recently hosted Harry and Meghan, and his revelations about King Charles would not come as a surprise to the couple or Prince William. Spencer chose not to include more details about the king in his book, saying he had learned from his experience. The serialisation of his book through the Daily Mail has sparked a media frenzy, months after Harry lost a privacy lawsuit against the tabloid.
Key points
- Charles Spencer urges official security protection for Prince Harry and Meghan due to media treatment.
- Spencer's book accuses King Charles of making incendiary comments after Princess Diana's death.
- The publication of Spencer's book and the return of Harry and Meghan to Britain pose a challenge for King Charles.
