‘Elated’ King Charles sounded like ‘a lottery winner’ when Princess Diana died, her brother claims

By Alejandra García • September 17, 2026

King Charles allegedly “sounded giddily elated — like a lottery winner” after his ex-wife, Princess Diana, died.

In his forthcoming book, “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,” Charles Spencer recalled the moment a then-Prince Charles called him following the news of Diana’s fatal 1997 car accident.

“Unlike my other callers, who were stunned, barely able to articulate their condolences and offers of help, he sounded giddily elated — like a lottery winner, I remember thinking at the time,” Diana’s sibling, the 9th Earl Spencer, writes in an excerpt published by the Daily Mail on Thursday.

King Charles sounded “giddily excited” after ex-wife Princess Diana’s death, per Charles Spencer’s bombshell new book.
Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer (pictured above in July 2021), makes the claim in his upcoming “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister” book. AFP via Getty Images

Per Spencer, Charles informed him that he had told his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, about their mother’s death, “first thing that morning, in their bedrooms at Balmoral.”

He felt Charles’ alleged reaction “sounded strangely matter-of-fact, given the enormity of the disaster.”

“Looking back now, I suspect the prince’s first reaction must have been to think more of how this event might free him to marry the woman he loved, rather than appreciating the loss of one he did not,” Spencer continues, referring to now-Queen Camilla, whom Charles wed in 2005.

Spencer’s tell-all recalls a conversation during which his ex-brother-in-law (pictured above in February 1981) allegedly sounded “like a lottery winner.” Getty Images
Charles (pictured above in October 1991) was allegedly “strangely matter-of-fact, given the enormity of the disaster,” Spencer writes. Getty Images

He adds, “It can be hard to feel too much sympathy for an ex-spouse, or those who care for them profoundly, after bitter divorce.”

Charles’ rep did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

The 77-year-old married Diana in 1981 before separating by 1992 and divorcing four years later.

“I suspect the prince’s first reaction must have been to think more of how this event might free him to marry the woman he loved, [Queen Camilla],” Spencer writes. UK Press via Getty Images
He expressed Charles (pictured above in June 1983) could “feel too much sympathy for an ex-spouse” after their “bitter divorce.” Toronto Star via Getty Images

The now-king also allegedly vowed that his ex would be forgotten “soon enough” after her passing, according to Spencer’s book.

He claims in the tell-all that the royal felt “pent-up contempt for Diana and … horror that the world was so bowled over by her death.”

Charles, however, disputed this characterization on Wednesday in a statement to Page Six.

Charles and Diana (pictured above in July 1981), notably, separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996. WireImage
The duo welcomed sons Prince William and Prince Harry (pictured above in July 1986) between their 1981 wedding and their split. Getty Images

“His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and color memory in ways others do not recognize, even many years after such a loss,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told us.

We hear Harry knew about his uncle’s bombshell book claims, with a source telling us the allegations were not “a shock” to the Duke of Sussex.

“Harry knew what was in the book,” the insider told Page Six, claiming the duo discussed it in July when the 42-year-old visited the Spencer ancestral estate, Althorp.

The following month, Harry moved from Montecito, California, to England with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two kids — Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.

Diana died in August 1997. (Pictured above: Spencer, Charles, Harry and William at Diana’s funeral.) POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Spencer’s book will be published on Sept. 22. via REUTERS

He is reportedly planning to make a movie about Diana while across the pond, which William, 44, is allegedly not happy about.

The brothers have been estranged for years. Charles, meanwhile, is on speaking terms with his youngest son.

“Swan Song: Diana, My Sister” hits bookshelves Sept. 22.


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