Earl Spencer has reiterated his claim that King Charles, then Prince of Wales, said "we'll forget her soon enough" in the days following Princess Diana's death, asserting his account is truthful. The statement comes in response to a rare, strongly worded denial from Buckingham Palace, which suggested that "recollections may vary" and that grief can "cloud reason, affect judgement and colour memory."

Spencer's assertion is detailed in his forthcoming book, "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister," and centers on a phone call with Charles concerning the decision for Princes William and Harry to walk in their mother's funeral procession. Earl Spencer had argued against the princes participating, believing it was not Diana's wish.

In an exclusive interview with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, Earl Spencer stated that he was "hyper alert" during the call and is "telling the truth" about the King's exact words. He described Charles as having "went ballistic and ranted for a while," accusing the family of lacking a sense of duty, before delivering the controversial line. Spencer recounted his profound shock at the remark, stating he responded with disbelief before hanging up.

Buckingham Palace's initial response acknowledged the profound pain of grief, noting its potential to distort perception over time. However, Spencer interpreted the Palace's statement as an indirect acknowledgment, questioning if the King was "furious" or "embarrassed" by the assertion.

Spencer emphasized that he recounted the incident to family and friends at the time because he found the remark "monstrous." He suggested that the Palace's "recollections may vary" comment was an attempt to "smudge" the issue, and when pressed on who the public should believe, he firmly replied, "I'm telling the truth."

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment further on Earl Spencer's latest remarks. This exchange reignites a public discussion, highlighting a rare instance of direct public disagreement between a senior royal family member and a close relation of the late Princess.

The context of the funeral procession is significant, as the then 15-year-old Prince William and 12-year-old Prince Harry walked behind their mother's coffin, a decision that has been debated for years. Earl Spencer's book is expected to provide further details on his relationship with his sister and the events surrounding her death.

Earl Spencer's account, if substantiated, offers a stark perspective on the emotional climate within the Royal Family during a period of national mourning and intense public scrutiny. The differing accounts from Earl Spencer and Buckingham Palace leave lingering questions about the precise nature of the conversations held during that sensitive time.