Charles Spencer Opens Up About Prince William And Prince Harry’s Rift

Charles Spencer has revealed where he stands on the long-running rift between his nephews, Prince William and Prince Harry, saying he hopes their fractured relationship can one day be “resolved.”

Princess Diana’s younger brother made the comments during a BBC interview released ahead of the publication of his new memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.

The book, which will be released on September 22, is described by Spencer as his most personal work yet and focuses heavily on his relationship with his late sister and the memories surrounding her life and death.

Charles Spencer Says He Is On Both Brothers’ Side

Speaking about William and Harry’s relationship, Spencer addressed the perception that he has traditionally been closer to Harry.

“I think there is a perception in the media that I am on Harry’s side,” he said.

But Spencer stressed that he does not see himself as belonging to one camp.

“I’m on my deceased sister’s sons’ side, both of them,” he explained, adding that if either brother needed something from him, he would be there for them.

He also said he tries not to become directly involved in the conflict, describing himself instead as a “benign figure.”

Spencer Hopes The Brothers Can Reconcile

Spencer acknowledged that there are “a lot of reasons on both sides” for the relationship between William and Harry reaching its current state.

However, he said he does not know every detail of what has happened between the brothers and therefore does not want to intrude.

His hope is nevertheless clear.

“I hope one day it’s resolved,” Spencer said.

He added that, from his perspective, a mother would want her two sons to be happy together and to love each other.

The comments offer a notably measured view of the dispute, with Spencer declining to assign himself to either side of the family conflict.

William And Harry Remain Estranged

William and Harry have remained largely estranged in recent years, with reports indicating that they have had little or no direct contact.

Harry has publicly expressed a desire for reconciliation with his brother, while sources close to William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have indicated that the circumstances behind the breakdown remain deeply painful.

Spencer’s comments come at a time when there have nevertheless been signs of movement elsewhere within the royal family.

Harry has taken steps toward rebuilding his relationship with his father, King Charles, including a reunion with the monarch during a previous U.K. visit.

A Book About Diana And Her Legacy

Spencer’s comments about William and Harry come as he prepares to publish Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.

The memoir explores his relationship with Diana and includes Spencer’s recollections of some of the most difficult periods surrounding her life and death.

Among the claims highlighted in early excerpts are Spencer’s recollections of conversations involving King Charles following Diana’s death, as well as his account of disagreements surrounding William and Harry’s participation in their mother’s funeral.

The book has already prompted a response from Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace Pushes Back On Spencer’s Claims

After reports about the book emerged, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the monarch does not generally comment on books.

However, the palace issued a statement saying that “fraternal grief” can affect memory, judgment and the way events are remembered.

Spencer subsequently challenged the suggestion that his recollections were inaccurate during his BBC interview.

When presenter Laura Kuenssberg pointed out that Buckingham Palace had denied his account, Spencer disputed that characterisation and argued that the palace had instead questioned the reliability of recollections.

He maintained that the words he attributed to King Charles were accurate.

“I was hyper alert to what he was saying,” Spencer said, insisting that he remembered the conversation clearly.

His comments have added another layer of attention to a memoir that is already attracting considerable interest before publication.

Spencer Says The Memoir Is A Tribute To His Sister

Despite the controversy surrounding some of the book’s revelations, Spencer has described the memoir primarily as a personal tribute to Diana.

In an Instagram post, he called Swan Song the “most personal” book he has ever written.

“At heart, this is a brother’s simple tribute to an extraordinary sister,” he wrote, adding that after completing the recording, he felt it was exactly what he had wanted and needed to say.

He also said he believed Diana would have approved of the finished book.

For Spencer, his comments about William and Harry appear to come from that same perspective: not as an attempt to choose between the brothers, but as a reflection of what he believes his sister would have wanted for both of her sons.

When Is Swan Song: Diana, My Sister Released?

Swan Song: Diana, My Sister will be available to purchase on September 22.

With Spencer’s comments about William and Harry coming just days before publication, attention is now turning to what else the memoir reveals about Diana, her family and the events that shaped the lives of her two sons.

For Spencer, however, his position on the brothers’ relationship remains straightforward: he says he is on the side of both William and Harry — and hopes that, one day, the rift between them can finally be resolved.