Royal expert questions timing of Earl Spencer book release
Yahoo News
Last updated: September 18, 2026
Royal expert Phil Dampier has questioned the timing of the release of Earl Spencer's memoir, "A Very Private Grief." The book, which details his relationship with his late sister, Princess Diana, coincides with King Charles III's coronation.
- Earl Spencer's memoir, "A Very Private Grief," was released just weeks before King Charles III's coronation. The book offers a personal account of his relationship with his sister, Princess Diana, and her experiences. Dampier suggests that the timing of the book's publication, so close to a significant royal event, may be seen as opportunistic or intended to draw attention. The memoir delves into family dynamics and private grief, themes that could be particularly resonant given the heightened public interest in the royal family around the coronation. The release could potentially overshadow or distract from the planned celebrations for the new monarch. This strategic timing has led to scrutiny regarding the motivations behind releasing such a personal account at this specific moment in the royal calendar. Dampier's comments highlight a debate about decorum and the appropriate occasions for airing private family matters in the public sphere, especially when they involve prominent royal figures and major national events.
