Piers Morgan Challenges Earl Spencer’s Claims in Upcoming Memoir

Piers Morgan has initiated legal action over statements made by Earl Charles Spencer in his new memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. Spencer, Princess Diana’s younger brother, alleged that Morgan displayed irritation when asked to refrain from attending Diana’s funeral.

Claims from the Memoir

In an excerpt shared with The Independent, Spencer recounts personally calling newspaper editors to request their absence from the Westminster Abbey service due to the intense media scrutiny surrounding his sister. While most editors seemed confused but compliant, he notes Morgan, the then editor of the Daily Mirror, responded with annoyance before disconnecting the call.

Spencer’s depiction of Morgan as “surly” contrasts with other editors who were merely confused. Morgan has strongly denied these allegations, labeling them as falsehoods and mentioning plans for legal action. The specific basis of Morgan’s legal threat remains unclear. Swan Song is scheduled for release on Tuesday, and an independent review of the text has not been conducted.

“The only one who sounded surly was Piers Morgan of the Mirror,” Spencer reportedly writes.

Ongoing Media Attention

Spencer’s book revisits the overwhelming media attention Princess Diana faced, which he argues deeply affected her. This context links to Morgan’s clash with Spencer, involving both personal claims from 1997 and the broader media narrative about Diana and the Royal Family.

Accusations Involving King Charles

Spencer also claims in his book that King Charles appeared “giddily elated” following Diana’s death in 1997 and allegedly remarked, “we’ll forget her soon enough,” in a disagreement regarding Prince William and Prince Harry’s participation in the funeral procession.

Buckingham Palace has disputed Spencer’s recollection, suggesting that grief may affect one’s memory and judgment. Spencer stands by his account, referring to his documentation of the incident with family and friends as a testament to the claim’s seriousness.

Journalist Richard Kay supported Spencer’s claims, recalling a reported argument with Charles shortly after Diana’s passing. Conversely, Dame Julia Cleverdon, who has known Charles for decades, disputes Spencer’s account, arguing it misrepresents the King’s character.

Morgan’s Criticism of Spencer

Morgan has criticized Spencer for perceived hypocrisy, condemning media treatment of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle while making reportedly harmful claims about King Charles in his book. Spencer has drawn parallels between media coverage of Harry and Meghan and that of Diana, calling it a “cancerous influence.”

In response, Morgan took to social media to highlight what he saw as contradictions in Spencer’s actions: decrying media behavior yet engaging in similar conduct toward King Charles in his memoir.

“I’ve seen some brass necks in my time,” Morgan wrote, criticizing Spencer’s dual stance.

The book’s release has also sparked additional tension with Buckingham Palace. Prince Harry has declined to comment on the memoir at a recent event in London.