Ex-Spokesman Slams Earl Spencer's Claims Against King Charles

Earl Spencer has publicly claimed that King Charles, then Prince Charles, remarked, "We'll forget her soon enough" following the tragic death of Princess Diana. Spencer recounted that he was so shocked by this comment that he immediately hung up the phone on Charles. Buckingham Palace has since responded to these allegations, stating that grief can significantly affect a person's reason and memory over time, implicitly questioning the accuracy of Spencer's recollection.

Dickie Arbiter, who served as a Buckingham Palace spokesperson for five years, has strongly refuted Earl Spencer's recent allegations against King Charles. Arbiter asserts that such a comment is fundamentally not in King Charles's character or "DNA." He emphasized that the King was never capable of thinking or expressing such a sentiment.

Dickie Arbiter has openly questioned the timing and motives behind Earl Spencer's allegations, particularly why these claims were not made public on the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana's death. Arbiter suggested that the current timing is primarily aimed at selling books, noting that Spencer once pledged in 1998 that he would not profit from his sister's legacy. He cynically remarked, "I mean, yeah, it's a good line. It sells books."

Dickie Arbiter pointed to Earl Spencer's personal financial obligations as a potential motive for his new memoir. Arbiter noted that Spencer is currently on his fourth marriage, which implies substantial alimony payments to his previous wives. He stated, "You got to remember he's on his fourth wife. He's paying alimony three times," suggesting that Spencer needs money and is likely looking to generate it through book sales.

Dickie Arbiter emphasized that despite past public criticisms from Diana, Charles has never once publicly criticized her. He recalled Diana's cooperation with Andrew Morton for her biography, "Diana: Her True Story," in 1992, and her controversial 1995 Panorama interview, both occasions where she was highly critical of Charles. Arbiter questioned why Earl Spencer is choosing to raise these issues now, highlighting Charles's consistent restraint.

Dickie Arbiter specifically noted that Jane Fellows, Diana's sister, is likely to be very upset due to her loyalty to her late husband, Robert Fellows, who passed away last year. Additionally, Sarah McCorquodale, the elder sister who once dated Charles, would probably be horrified by the book's contents. Arbiter predicted that the memoir would lead to a family split due to its potential knock-on effects on their private lives and relationships.

William is known for being fiercely protective of his mother's memory and is likely mortified by what he might perceive as attacks on his father, King Charles. Dickie Arbiter drew a contrast between William and Harry, noting that "William mourns his mother in private and Harry mourns his mother in public because everything he does Harry that is is in his mother's name." Arbiter also questioned Earl Spencer's past promise to look after his blood family, suggesting this memoir goes against that pledge. William is also noted to have the strong support of his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales.

He expressed significant doubt, stating, "I found that a bit hard to believe because it's returning a title posthumously and it's not the sort of thing the queen would do." Arbiter also recounted that the Queen had previously offered Diana's family a burial plot at Frogmore, which they declined. Furthermore, Diana's request for a private home on royal grounds was denied due to security concerns. Arbiter ultimately characterized these claims as failing the 'smell test,' implying they lack credibility.