Earl Spencer's Diana Memoir Stolen in Dutch Lorry Raid, Sparks Royal Row

Earl Charles Spencer, brother of the late Princess Diana, wrote a memoir titled 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister'. The book covers Diana's troubled marriage to the then Prince of Wales and includes new allegations about the royal family's reactions after her death.

Ahead of the book's release, a lorry transporting copies was raided in the Netherlands. Several advance copies were stolen, drawing attention not just to the theft but to the memoir's contents and the potential impact on the royal family.

On September 15, 2026, news broke that copies of Earl Spencer's book had been stolen during a lorry raid in the Netherlands, prompting an investigation by Dutch authorities. The theft immediately put the spotlight on the memoir and its revelations.

Shortly after, extracts from the book were published, revealing Spencer's claim that King Charles III allegedly said 'we'll forget her soon enough' just days after Diana's death in 1997. This explosive allegation attracted widespread media coverage in the UK and internationally.

Buckingham Palace responded on September 16 with a rare and strongly worded statement. The Palace disputed the claim, suggesting that grief can cloud reason, judgment, and memory. This was seen as a direct rebuttal to Spencer's account and an attempt to protect the King's reputation.

The controversy escalated as more details from the memoir emerged, including Spencer's account of a heated phone call with Charles over whether Princes William and Harry should walk behind Diana's coffin. The story dominated headlines, with commentators debating the credibility of the claims and the royal family's response.

As of mid-September 2026, the book has not yet been officially released, but its most contentious allegations have already sparked a very public dispute between Earl Spencer and Buckingham Palace. The Palace has forcefully denied the claims, while Spencer stands by his account.

Dutch authorities continue to investigate the lorry theft. Meanwhile, the memoir's publication is expected to fuel further discussion about the royal family's history and Diana's enduring public legacy.

The official release of Earl Spencer's memoir is expected soon and will likely bring more details and reactions. It remains to be seen if further statements or legal actions will follow from either side, or if the theft will affect the book's distribution.