Earl Spencer’s memoir *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister* sparks legal threats and factual disputes

Consensus Summary

Earl Spencer’s memoir *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister* has ignited a legal and factual storm after Piers Morgan threatened to sue over claims that he was editor of the *Daily Mirror* when it published Princess Diana’s gym photos in **November 1993**. Morgan, who only became editor in **October 1995**, called the accusation a ‘defamatory lie’ and demanded corrections. Spencer, **62**, issued an apology for the error, admitting it was an ‘incorrect assumption,’ but Morgan doubled down, vowing legal action against Spencer and publisher Penguin. The book, released in **12 languages** and priced at **£28**, also alleges King Charles said ‘we’ll forget her soon enough’ after Diana’s death in **1997**, prompting a rare rebuke from Buckingham Palace.

The controversy stems from excerpts serialised in the *Daily Mail* before the book’s release, which reignited debates about Diana’s life and the royal family’s treatment of her. Spencer wrote the memoir to mark the **30th anniversary** of her death, framing it as a corrective to ‘untruths’ about her life. The book’s claims—including Charles’s alleged callous remarks and Diana’s struggles with mental health—have been met with skepticism from royal experts, though Spencer insists his account is truthful. The legal threat from Morgan hinges on the gym photo claim, which Spencer now acknowledges was factually flawed, though he stands by other recollections.

Key figures in the dispute include Morgan, who accused Spencer of ‘brazen falsity’ and questioned the credibility of the entire memoir, and Spencer, who defended his historical approach while conceding the error. The Guardian reports the book was published on **Tuesday** in **October 1995**, with copies later marked at **half price** in stores like Waterstones. The SMH notes the book’s **No.2** chart position on **Wednesday**, while the ABC highlights Spencer’s refusal to withdraw the book despite the apology, opting instead to correct future editions. Both the Guardian and ABC emphasize the book’s explosive claims about Charles, including a **1997** phone call where Spencer alleges the king sounded ‘giddily elated’ upon hearing of Diana’s death.

Differences in reporting focus emerge across outlets: the SMH emphasizes the legal threat and Spencer’s US journalism background, while the Guardian details the timeline of the apology and Morgan’s rebuttal. The ABC provides deeper context, including Diana’s visits to Australia in **1981** and **1983**, and Spencer’s claim that Charles’s early comments about her weight contributed to her eating disorder. The SMH’s mention of a **1992** book by Andrew Morton contrasts with the Guardian and ABC’s omission of this detail, while the ABC uniquely notes Spencer’s hosting of Harry and Meghan at Althorp Estate in **2026**, a detail absent from the other sources.

The unresolved question is whether Morgan’s legal action will force Penguin to retract the book or pay damages, as demanded. The Guardian suggests the dispute has already damaged Spencer’s credibility, while the ABC reports Spencer remains defiant, arguing his ‘truth’ should prevail over Charles’s ‘gaslighting’ denial. The SMH’s reference to the book’s **Paris** connection and ‘almost three decades’ phrasing adds a layer of ambiguity, though no outlet clarifies the specific event. With the book’s claims still under scrutiny, the fallout may extend beyond the legal battle, potentially reshaping public perceptions of Diana’s legacy and the royal family’s role in her life.