Twenty-nine years after Princess Diana’s death, her younger brother, Charles Spencer, has decided he has more to say.
His new memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, arrives tomorrow after an explosive publicity campaign that prompted Buckingham Palace to respond even before the book went on sale. Spencer has promised new details about Diana, her marriage, her death, and its aftermath.
We shall see. My Kindle copy arrives tonight.
Here are five things I’ll be watching as I read:
1. Why is Spencer telling this story now?
Nearly 30 years after Diana’s death, why now? Some critics see it as cashing in. Could be. The demographic clock is running: Half of Britons alive today are 40 and under, so few have much personal memory of Diana. In 10 years, when the 40th anniversary of her death rolls around, that audience for revisiting Diana will be even smaller.
2. How does Spencer cast himself?
In interviews promoting the book before its release, Spencer appears to be positioning himself as the honest broker: Diana’s loving brother who wanted nothing more than to protect his motherless nephews. (It’s an image he has been using since Diana’s eulogy.) How much of the book relies on seeing him in this role? Is he an authoritative narrator? What evidence does he provide to back up his claims?
3. Where does memory end and interpretation begin?
Almost 30 years later, it’s easy to be a Monday morning quarterback, knowing how the story ends and how reactions played out over time. To what extent does Spencer reflect on his thinking at the time versus casting himself as omniscient?
4. Who gets to claim Diana’s legacy?
Spencer dropped a bombshell by claiming that, hours after Diana’s death, now-King Charles told him people would soon forget her. But 29 years later, the fact is, Charles was right—Diana is no longer relevant to much of the public.
No one has really picked up her torch. William has maintained ties to some of her causes, but he has developed his own interests and his own approach to royal life. Kate has a more low-key, less celebrity-driven, approach.
Harry and Meghan have tried to claim Diana’s mantle, but neither has the charisma, authenticity, or vulnerability that fueled Diana’s fame.
I’ll be watching to see what Spencer believes Diana’s legacy is—and where he thinks it resides.
5. Will the Palace—or William—say anything more?
The Palace commenting before the book even hit the shelves was extraordinary. Does it now return to silence? Does something else in the book provoke another response? And with Spencer making claims about events involving William personally, does William remain silent or decide that something requires correction?
I’ll start reading tonight. Stay tuned for a full review in the upcoming Hack Mule Notebook.
Enjoy your read. My interest in Diana is...was primarily her wardrobe. We had the same style, which is pretty much out of style now. Though, I have seen 2 or 3 people on YouTube recently wearing a sweater she popularized.