In an interview with the BBC that aired Sunday, Spencer reiterated that his version of events was the truth and leveled more criticism at the royal family, after he wrote in his memoir that there was “a lack of obvious care” for then 12-year-old Prince Harry following his mother’s death.
Spencer also voiced his thoughts on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, describing how they are being treated by the press as having “echoes” of the way Diana was treated and expressing concern about Harry’s lack of police protection in the UK.
Sources close to King Charles say the monarch is “furious” about the claims made by his former brother-in-law and “incredibly hurt.”
“[King Charles] won’t be reading the papers. He doesn’t look at them. He will have been briefed by his private secretaries as to what’s in the book, but he won’t be reading it all,” said a family friend.
According to a second source who has spent time with King Charles in recent days, “There is a great sense of hurt, frustration, and deep disappointment” among the wider royal family over the book.
“There is a real sense that this is opening up old wounds. It’s very sad, and there is also a worry that this could impact not only the Spencer family’s relationship with William and Harry but progress between the king and his youngest son,” the source said.
Prince Harry, who spent time with his uncle at Althorp this summer, has not commented on Spencer’s book. During his interview with the BBC on Sunday, Spencer said his recollection of what Prince Charles allegedly said about Diana’s being “forgotten” would not come as a surprise to his nephews.
Buckingham Palace and Charles Spencer declined to comment to Vanity Fair.
