Seems it’s now Harry’s uncle - the Earl of Spencer - having his turn at a “tell all” book.

Peacelilydilly

I've never liked Charles or Camilla they both did the dirty on Princess Diana, Charles used her and Camilla was no angel either. So no sympathy from me for Charles and I would think a fair amount published in the book is true. I would have loved to have seen how Diana's life had turned out if she had lived.

Just because you didn’t like them doesn’t mean that Charles Spencer’s version of things is true.

Same could be said the other way round.

Peacelilydilly

Same could be said the other way round.

But Charles hasn't written a tell-all book about the Spencer family, nor - as far as I know - publicly revealed snippets of conversations between them.

You may not like Charles and Camilla and it's understandable why many people don't, but if you really want to apportion blame for the whole sorry affair - maybe it should start with the archaic and outmoded attitude that the institution adopts towards women... and it's one that afflicts other monarchies too. The insistence that women chosen as prospective wives of monarchs-in-waiting be "pure" (at least outwardly), young, and from the 'right' class and family whilst the men are free to dally and sow their wild oats, attracting only mild rebuke and even sanctioned by some as being the natural order of things.

Perhaps Charles should never have been under pressure to marry Diana in the first place - nor succumbed to that insistence?

They all seemed incredibly dysfunctional to me. Of course I am a model of functionality.

I feel it for both Prince William and Harry. Why oh why do people not think about the fallout for the sons of Princess Diana.
I feel these boys suffered enough when all of this happened Prince Charles and this Earl of Spencer may have exchanged cross words,who knows what was said. Remember many a thing has been said in anger or recalled incorrectly.
Think of the fallout for the people it means most to they have to live through the gossip yet again . Just let it go is what I say.

Charles and Diana opened Pandora’s box with their TV interviews…

Galaxy

They all seemed incredibly dysfunctional to me. Of course I am a model of functionality.

William and Harry married whom they chose, and the Princess of Wales seems to be, as far as we can tell, in a very happy marriage. Much as I dislike Meghan Markle for the trouble she causes, there is never the slightest hint of any rift between she and Harry and they seem happy together. Charles and Camilla also appear very happy, although life must be a struggle at present.

Charles Spencer by contrast, is dysfunctional: three broken marriages and estrangement from some of his children do not point to a stable personality.

I am missing anniebach on these threads, she always told me off as I usually excuse Diana

Yes Annie, we only really disagreed on the Royal Family, not that it matters, I hope youre ok

I’m interested in people, in families, in how many of us are honest enough to acknowledge how life can be a tough ride sometimes

I don’t know enough to decide if CS ot KC’s recollections are accurate. I do know enough to know that people’s memories aren’t the most reliable account of an event, especially such a significant event as Diana’s death,

I’m sure Charles W and Charles S were both overought, devastated, scared and grief stricken in the aftermath of Diana’s death. All this side taking seems crazy to me

And far far too late

I don't read the books myself, not a fan of Earl Spencer but think he is telling the truth. At the time of the funeral I never understand how a father and grandparents could put those boys walking behind their mother's coffin, it was cruel so anything is possible. No wonder Harry has lots of hang up and a loose cannon. Megan hyped up as well so she is not a calming influence.

Can't fathom how he thinks it is ok to expose Diana's fragility and suicidal state. Utterly degrading of him and completely disrespectful of her memory and surely unhelpful to the boys to see everything she suffered hung out in public. I grew up on a sink estate, thinking posh people knew how to behave.... golly. This man is an embarassment.

The foundation of Diana’s fragility and mental health issues were set in the emotionally neglectful childhood she and her brother shared. All this compounded by the awful time she had in the build up to and during her marriage

A very dysfunctional family,not people to respect and look up to.

The boys walking behind their mother’s coffin.

This took place nearly 30 years ago.

Yes, with hindsight, perhaps they shouldn’t have done.

I’m sure George would not be expected to, in similar circumstances.

But times change, and even 30 years ago, this was the sort of thing that was expected of the aristocracy and royals.

I’m sure the Duke of Edinburgh genuinely thought that if the boys didn’t walk, they would regret it in the future. It seems they were offered the choice, and I think it showed great courage on both their parts, particularly for 12 year old Harry.

I think Diana would have been very proud of her sons that day.

Somebody has suggested that the remark about “soon forgetting” might have referred to the walking behind the coffin.
Clearly not quickly forgotten but as a comment it might make sense in this context?

They should all keep their mouths shut. No good has come from any of these frank interviews or confessional books.
Still, it’s entertaining enough and worth the £2 I believe I pay to keep royalty going.

MawsRosie you may be right👍

I am not sure about it being 'expected' 30 years ago, Calendargirl. I can remember people commenting negatively on it at the time. There was also significant public negativity about the Royal Family's reactions at the time and I think it was this that made them treat Diana as one of theirs as it became obvious how loved Diana was. That lack of understanding may have coloured conversations initially before changing to a more empathetic approach.

I believe the Duke of Edinburgh was very fond of Diana, and, being old school, perhaps he thought that the two sons walking behind their mother's coffin would show a sign of respect and also something the public would expect.

I think it was a misjudgment but that one incident would not turn Harry into the self-pitying person he seems to be today. He has changed over the years.

that one incident would not turn Harry into the self-pitying person he seems to be today I agree JenniRen.

I think he used to be a silly but likeable young man who made a few mistakes but overall he seemed likeable. Now he is still silly but distinctly unlikeable. Whether or not it is Meghan’s influence is a moot point. Probably just bad for each other.

Plevey08

I think it's understandable Earl Spencer wants to put, what he perceives, as the injustices that PD suffered to rights. He didn't think it was acceptable that W&H should have been made to follow behind PD coffin, for all to view. He thought his sister wouldn't have wanted that. PC, at the time, apparently replied that he had followed his uncle Lord Mountbatten's procession. To which ES said you were age 30. Thereafter ES says PC was incandescent with rage and said she will soon be forgotten.
I don't find it hard to believe that conversation happened. I think ES in his speech at PD funeral showed palpable anger towards the RF.

PC might have been implying that next to Lord Mountbatten (who he considered a great man), PD would be forgotten?

Little did he know…

icanhandthemback

I don’t mean it was the public who expected it.

I think it was the done thing for the Royals.

nanna8

I think he used to be a silly but likeable young man who made a few mistakes but overall he seemed likeable. Now he is still silly but distinctly unlikeable. Whether or not it is Meghan’s influence is a moot point. Probably just bad for each other.

I'm not a fan of Meghan, but I really do think we have to stop blaming women for men's behaviour.

Teenagers 'influence' each other, before their brains are fully wired, but an adult male is entirely responsible for his own actions.

If Meghan is the dominant partner, it makes no difference - unless she's abusing him which doesn't appear to be the case - he is an autonomous human being and answerable for his behaviour.