Jennie Bond - "It's an absolute character assassination of King Charles"
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What is Charles Spencer’s new book and why is it sparking controversy?
You'll be aware that Earl Charles Spencer has written a book about his sister Diana, Princess of Wales, called Swan Song. It's out Tuesday and you might have noticed as well the extracts from it are already causing trouble. Jenny Bond, journalist and former R BBC Royal Correspondent, good afternoon. Hi there. Jenny, this book is not complimentary to either King Charles or the Royal Family. Will you take me through what we know so far about what Charles Spencer is saying?
Yeah, um when I heard that uh Earl Spencer, Diana's brother, was writing a memoir twenty nine years old from her death. Um I thought, well gosh, gosh, it's going to be a lovely portrayal of his sister, which undoubtedly it absolutely is, but at the same time it's a character assassination of King Charles. Um it is fantastically rude and hostile about him. Um and some of the most incendiary uh claims, shall we call them, memories, um recollections that during a furious row, the Earl says, over who should walk behind Diana's coffin, whether the two boys, William and Harry, should do so.
Which shocking accusations does Earl Spencer make about King Charles’s behavior after Diana’s death?
Um The the prince as he was, King Charles, uh eventually said, We'll forget her, Diana. We'll forget her soon enough. At which point um Earl Spencer just put the phone down, having said, I can't believe you just said that. I mean that's just one of many, many allegations. He he he claims that um Charles seemed giddily elated when he rang to talk about Diana's death. On the night of her death, he was like a lottery winner. Um It goes on and on. So um it has uh got a response, provoked a response from the palace, which basically in very um courteous language suggests that the Earl has got it all wrong and that his memory is clouded by grief.
How has the royal palace responded to the claims in “Swan Song”?
Is it damaging to King Charles?
Uh it is. Um uh it is damaging of course because there are many people who will believe that Charles did say th those words, that he was absolutely cold hearted. Perhaps he does. He did. We do not know. There are only two people in that conversation and no one is going to know, but it has now spawned a a war of words um between Earl Spencer and the Palace. Uh the palace have made only that one statement, sort of all encompassing statement. But it's not a good thing. With lots of
sources um speaking out as well, uh defending uh King Charles.
Did Diana feel mistreated by the royal family, according to Jennie Bond’s recollections?
Jenny, you were around then and you were on the royal beat. Did the royal family treat Diana appallingly?
She was a difficult person and the marriage was a difficult situation for the royal family to manage. Um I I think that uh yes, she certainly felt it. Let me say, 'cause I knew Diana, I spoke to her about it. She certainly felt that she had been tr treated badly. I mean, you know, she she famously said in a phone call, I won't use the word she used, but she said, After I all I've done for this ble family. Um, this is how I'm treated. Um so yes, she felt she had been badly treated by it.
What impact could the book have on the relationship between Harry, Meghan and the rest of the royal family?
So I I conclude obviously obviously she was.
Okay. Um the the background to this is of course Harry and Meghan returning to the UK and everything. What are the implications here for like Harry would be viewed as being very close to his uncle Earl Spencer and I think sta stayed with him when he was back recently and everything. Are we going to see two camps emerging here, do you think?
Yeah, well, Earl Spencer's rather pushed back on that idea this morning in that he was asked about Harry and Meghan. He does I don't think he mentions Harry and Meghan in the book at all. But uh we the media are always terribly keen to connect Harry and Meghan to any row. Um he says there's a um an idea that he is particularly close to Harry, but actually he's there for both his nephews, William and Harry. But um directly to answer your question.
Will the legacy of Diana’s death bring Harry and William closer together?
When it is uh looking a little about the uh like the Court of the Sussexes, with the public appearances Harry's been making and the Court of Windsor. It's a very tricky situation. These are difficult times for the palace. But I've seen it before, I have seen times when I did not think Charles would be able to go out and face the public again.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What is Charles Spencer’s new book and why is it sparking controversy?
0:00–1:08
2
Which shocking accusations does Earl Spencer make about King Charles’s behavior after Diana’s death?
1:08–1:48
3
How has the royal palace responded to the claims in “Swan Song”?
1:48–2:22
4
Did Diana feel mistreated by the royal family, according to Jennie Bond’s recollections?
2:22–3:00
5
What impact could the book have on the relationship between Harry, Meghan and the rest of the royal family?
3:00–3:47
6
Will the legacy of Diana’s death bring Harry and William closer together?
3:47–4:37