Earl Spencer has apologised to Piers Morgan over an “error” in his bombshell memoir about Princess Diana, but the former Mirror editor has insisted he still intends to pursue legal action.
The Earl wrote that Mr Morgan reportedly “snarled with annoyance” upon being informed he was no longer invited to attend Diana’s funeral.
He also suggested that this was because Mr Morgan was responsible for publishing photographs, taken with hidden cameras, of Diana in a leotard working out at the gym, in the Daily Mirror newspaper in 1993.
But Mr Morgan did not join the Mirror as its editor until 1995.
The Earl apologised and said as a historian “accuracy was important to him”, but he stood by his account that Mr Morgan was “surly and annoyed” when he called the journalist to tell him he was not welcome at Diana’s funeral.
Despite this public apology, Mr Morgan has said he intends to pursue legal action against him and Penguin “to have the lies removed, and damages paid to the King’s Trust.”
Read MorePiers Morgan ‘snarled with annoyance’ at being uninvited to Diana’s funeral over press intrusion
Harry ‘completely fine’ with Diana memoir, Earl Spencer says
Prince Harry fights back tears as he praises parents caring for seriously ill children
The top seven bombshell claims from Earl Spencer’s book so far
Diana suspected Charles had ‘nighttime tryst’ with Camilla on royal train during their courtship
Key Points
- King Charles seen for the first time since Swan Song's release at royal engagement
- Spencer family plans for a private funeral were 'undermined' by the palace and Downing Street
- Earl Spencer’s Diana memoir marked at half its £28 cover price on day of launch
- Prince William ignores question about Diana book as he serves popcorn on cinema visit
- Piers Morgan claims apology from Earl Spencer - but insists he'll pursue legal action
- Earl Spencer apologises to Piers Morgan over 'error'
Watch: Piers Morgan threatens legal action over Earl Spencer claims in Diana memoir
18:00 , Dan HaygarthEarl Spencer’s Diana memoir marked at half its £28 cover price on day of launch
17:30 , Dan HaygarthBookshops across London appeared quiet on the release day of Earl Spencer’s memoir about his late sister Diana, Princess of Wales – with the £28 book marked at half its cover price.
Swan Song: Diana, My Sister went on sale for the first time on Tuesday, with copies lining the windows of bookstores across the city including in Waterstones Piccadilly – which is the largest in Europe.
Dozens of copies with red “half price” stickers were stacked in the store’s display, which included a quote from Charles Spencer reading: “When asked, ‘What was it like, growing up with Diana?’, my first thought is always, but I don’t know what it was like not to grow up with her.”
A handful of customers arrived at the store early on Tuesday to buy copies, including retired pharmacist Mary Scheible, 69.
Speaking to the Press Association just after 9am, she said she has “always been fascinated in Diana and her story”.
The customer, from Atlanta in the United States, added: “I was married the same year that she and Charles were married, so there was kind of an affinity there.
“So I wanted to see her brother’s side of the story and what he had to say, and mostly read about growing up in their family and that part of her life.”
Earl Spencer apologises to Piers Morgan - recap
17:00 , Dan HaygarthThe statement on behalf of Charles Spencer read: “Earl Spencer’s account of his conversation with Piers Morgan is accurate.
“Mr Morgan was surly and annoyed when Earl Spencer called personally to tell him that he was not welcome at his sister’s funeral.
“The book then records Earl Spencer’s assumption that Mr Morgan’s response was because he was editor of the Daily Mirror when the Mirror Group had published highly intrusive photographs of Princess Diana at the gym.
“The photographs were published by the Sunday Mirror on November 7 1993. Mr Morgan has pointed out that he did not join the Daily Mirror until October 1995.
“As an historian, accuracy is important to Earl Spencer. He therefore wishes to clarify that his assumption was incorrect. Earl Spencer apologises to Mr Morgan for this error.”
In pictures: Prince William serves popcorn
16:30 , Bryony Gooch
King hails ‘genius’ engineering skills on visit to GB Energy’s new headquarters
16:00 , Bryony GoochThe King has praised the “genius” of engineering skills in the north of Scotland as he unveiled a plaque at the new headquarters of Great British Energy.
Charles visited the offices in Aberdeen as part of a number of engagements highlighting the energy transition in the region.
Great British Energy is the UK Government’s energy investment company.
It was created with the aim of speeding up the transition to clean energy by investing in the country’s infrastructure and funding green projects.
The company was formally established in May 2025 and its headquarters in Marischal Square, Aberdeen, were opened recently.
Earl Spencer apologises to Piers Morgan over 'error'
15:56 , Bryony GoochEarl Spencer has reportedly apologised to Piers Morgan over an “error” in his book, but doubled down on his recollection of events.
A statement reads: "Earl Spencer's account of his conversation with Piers Morgan is accurate.
"Mr Morgan was surly and annoyed when Earl Spencer called personally to tell him that he was not welcome at his sister's funeral.
"The book then records Earl Spencer's assumption that Mr Morgan's response was because he was editor of the Daily Mirror when the Mirror Group had published highly intrusive photographs of Princess Diana at the gym.
"The photographs were published by the Sunday Mirror on 7 November 1993.
"Mr Morgan has pointed out that he did not join the Daily Mirror until October 1995.
"As an historian, accuracy is important to Earl Spencer.
"He therefore wishes to clarify that his assumption was incorrect. Earl Spencer apologises to Mr Morgan for this error."
Breaking: Piers Morgan claims apology from the earl - but insists he'll pursue legal action
15:47 , Bryony GoochPiers Morgan has doubled down that he intends to sue Earl Spencer for “defamatory lies” in his new book, despite claiming he apologised.
“Earl Spencer has apologised to me for his defamatory lies published in his new book, Swan Song, published today. But I am pursuing legal action against him and his publisher Penguin to have the lies removed, and damages paid to the King’s Trust.”
BREAKING NEWS:
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 22, 2026
Earl Spencer has apologised to me for his defamatory lies published in his new book, Swan Song, published today.
But I am pursuing legal action against him and his publisher Penguin to have the lies removed, and damages paid to the King’s Trust.
Premium: If Prince Harry wants police protection, let him have it
15:31 , Bryony Gooch
If Prince Harry wants police protection, let him have it
Watch: Why is Piers Morgan threatening to sue Earl Spencer?
15:00 , Bryony GoochComment: A Prince Harry documentary about Diana is the King’s worst nightmare
14:45 , Bryony Gooch
A Prince Harry documentary about Diana is the King’s worst nightmare
Prince William ignores question about Diana book as he serves popcorn on cinema visit
14:30 , Bryony GoochThe Prince of Wales served popcorn and sold tickets to moviegoers as he celebrated grassroots cinema, but was dogged by a question about Earl Spencer’s book.
William dished out one bag of the salted treat to three regulars at ActOne Cinema in west London and when told they would share, he joked: “Are you sure? Everybody needs their own popcorn – it’s moreish.”
But he struggled with processing the tickets and as he tapped buttons on the till, under the watchful eye of staff, he told the trio: “I made this very slow, I apologise.”
The cinema is celebrating its fifth anniversary after being launched in a former library in Acton.
As William arrived, he did not respond as a member of the press shouted: “Sir, how do you feel about your uncle’s book – have you read it?”
In pictures: As Earl Spencer's Diana memoir is released, Prince William goes to the cinema
14:16 , Bryony Gooch
Watch: Piers Morgan threatens legal action over Earl Spencer claims in Diana memoir
14:00 , Bryony GoochEarl Spencer’s explosive Diana memoir slashed to half price on launch day
13:28 , Bryony Gooch
Earl Spencer’s explosive Diana memoir slashed to half price on launch day
The King focuses on renewable energy as Swan Song released to the public
13:15 , Bryony GoochThe King arrived at Peterhead Port in the north-east of Scotland as he begins a number of visits highlighting the transition to renewable energy.
Charles arrived at the Aberdeenshire port on Tuesday morning, where he will meet a number of people and organisations involved in the area’s energy ecosystem.
Much of Scotland’s offshore renewable energy industry is based around Aberdeen, which is also home to the North Sea oil and gas industry.
On the quay at Peterhead, the King will meet local members of the energy supply chain, including the Peterhead Energy Transition Forum.
He will also meet representatives of Maritime Developments Ltd, a three-time recipient of the King’s Award for Enterprise.
The company offers low-emission alternatives to traditional offshore energy equipment.
Charles will go on to meet apprentices from the Scottish Maritime Academy and pupils from Peterhead Academy.
Later, he is expected to carry out further visits in the north-east of Scotland.
Princess Michael was Diana's 'nightmare neighbour' at Kensington Palace, Earl Spencer says
13:00 , Bryony GoochEarl Spencer claimed that Princess Michael was a “nightmare neighbour” for Diana at Kensington Palace.
He said: “I saw the face of Princess Michael, whom Diana had considered her ‘nightmare neighbour’ at Kensington Palace. She had accosted my sister after she was deprived of her HRH title, and said, with feigned kindness: ‘Don’t worry, Diana – you only need tocurtsy to me when we are in public !’”
Harry ‘completely fine’ with Diana memoir, Earl Spencer says
12:57 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe Duke of Sussex is “completely fine” with a new memoir chronicling the life of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, his uncle Earl Spencer has said.
The earl has made a series of claims about the King in Swan Song: Diana, My Sister – including that Charles said “we’ll forget her soon enough” after she died – which has prompted a war of words between him and Buckingham Palace.
Asked about telling Harry and the Prince of Wales about the book, the earl told People magazine: “I can say that Harry is completely fine about it.
“He said, I hope there’s nothing embarrassing about him in it. I said, ‘There isn’t’.
Read more here:
Harry ‘completely fine’ with Diana memoir, Earl Spencer says
Watch: Earl Spencer claims Charles said 'we'll forget her soon enough' following disagreement about funeral arrangements
12:46 , Bryony GoochIn pictures: King Charles visits Peterhead Port
12:30 , Bryony Gooch
Meghan offered Magic Radio show as Harry says she ‘loves’ station
12:10 , Bryony GoochThe Duchess of Sussex has been offered a show on her favourite radio station Magic, with the Duke of Sussex agreeing to take the idea back to his wife.
Harry, who returned to the UK with Meghan and their children last month after six years away in the US, was interviewed by the easy listening station at the WellChild Awards on Monday.
Presenter Gaby Roslin, who hosted the awards, joked with Harry, asking him during a playful exchange: “Do you want a show on Magic? … Your wife could do a show on Magic. She loves Magic.”
Harry replied: “She does love Magic. That’s true.”
Roslin added: “What show would she like to do?”
Harry remarked: “We haven’t talked about it. I can take this back to her,” before Roslin shouts: “Christmas show! Christmas show!”
The duchess told Queer Eye star Tan France on her With Love, Meghan Netflix series last year that “honestly, one of the things I miss the most about the UK is the radio station called Magic”.
Breaking: King Charles seen for the first time since Swan Song's release at royal engagement
11:42 , Bryony GoochKing Charles appears to be carrying out royal engagements as usual as Swan Song hits bookshelves across the UK.
The King could be seen wearing a kilt during a visit to Peterhead Port, Aberdeenshire, to meet organisations involved in the area's local energy ecosystem, which is helping to drive the UK's transition to clean and renewable energy.
Earl Spencer’s new book lays out a number of claims about the King’s behaviour towards his ex-wife Princess Diana during their relationship and after her tragic death.
Pictured: Earl Spencer’s Diana memoir marked at half its £28 cover price on day of launch
11:40 , Bryony GoochRecap: Diana tried to call off wedding after Charles showed 'next to no interest in her'
11:27 , Bryony GoochEarl Spencer has claimed Diana tried to call off her wedding to Charles after he showed no interest in her on the night of Prince Andrew’s 21st birthday.
He wrote: “She had been greatly looking forward to being reunited with Prince Charles, who had returned that day from an official trip to New York.
“Diana had dreamt of spending the party at Windsor Castle at her fiancé’s side. But he had shown next to no interest in her, and she – deeply hurt, confused and increasingly concerned – danced with others, including me, instead.
“Immediately after that evening of escalating heartbreak, Diana went to see my father. She told him she could not go through with marriage to a man who clearly did not love her.
“My father was appalled and said it was impossible to pull out of such an enormous commitment at that point.”
Watch: Prince Harry offered radio show on UK station Meghan 'loves'
11:25 , Bryony GoochPrince Philip was 'determined to help his motherless grandsons in their walk to the funeral' says Earl Spencer
10:58 , Bryony GoochEarl Spencer revealed that Prince Philip’s demeanour changed at Princess Diana’s funeral as he was “determined” to help his grandsons walk in the procession.
He writes in the book: “Prince Philip was there, his usual gruffness replaced by a calm and quiet kindness. He was clearly determined to help his motherless grandsons in their walk to the funeral, and he Prince Charles tried to take charge, having seemingly thought hard about the formation that the five of us chief mourners would adopt behind Diana.
“When he said, ‘Now, I will walk in the centre, with William on my right and Harry on my left’, Prince Philip overruled him in an even voice that closed down any possible dissent.
“‘No, that isn’t how we will do it. Charles,’ he said, nodding towards me, ‘is representing his sister and their family, so he will walk in the middle, with William and Harry either side of him, and you,’ he said, talking to his eldest son, ‘and I will be on the outside flanks.’ Prince Charles looked pained but capitulated to his father’s authority without a word.”
This book is Diana’s unfinished business – Harry’s film will finish it
10:40 , Bryony Gooch
This book is Diana’s unfinished business – Harry’s documentary will finish it
Watch: Moment Prince Harry is asked 'have you spoken to your uncle' as he arrives at awards
10:20 , Bryony GoochSpencer family plans for a private funeral were 'undermined' by the palace and Downing Street, claims Earl Spencer
10:01 , Bryony GoochEarl Spencer has claimed that plans for a private funeral for Princess Diana were undermined by both Buckingham Palace and Downing Street.
In his book, the Viscount Althorp says that some family members “were angry, and protective, feeling we had lent Diana to the world for a decade and a half, and that that sacrifice had ended in the darkest of tragedies.
“I originally thought I would be giving my eulogy in front of three or four hundred people. My family very much wanted a small, private funeral,” he wrote.
“Now, it seemed to us, was the time for us to reclaim her broken body, for quiet and dignified committal and safekeeping. This, we felt, should be as we saw fit, and certainly in private.
“Such a thought was quickly undermined by Buckingham Palace, working quietly with the prime minister’s Downing Street office. Both institutions were concerned that our wish for a family funeral might either be seen as the Spencers daring openly to insult the royals or, more problematic, in terms of PR , as a royal conspiracy: one that perpetuated the Windsors’ animosity towards Diana in life by denying her the sad magnificence of some form of state funeral.”
Piers Morgan is suing Earl Spencer over ‘demonstrable lies’ in Princess Diana book
09:44 , Bryony Gooch
Piers Morgan says he is suing Earl Spencer over ‘damning lies’ in Princess Diana book
In pictures: Swan Song hits shelves - half price off
09:33 , Bryony Gooch
Earl Spencer recalls 'sudden outburst' from Prince Philip directed at the late Queen
09:20 , Bryony GoochEarl Spencer recalls a “sudden outburst” of Prince Philip towards the late Queen at the state opening of parliament in 1977.
While he describes the late Queen as presenting “an immaculate front” as she “never put a foot wrong”, he said that the late Duke of Edinburgh was “more controversial, because of occasional brusque utterances, which came from an era before racial sensitivities were properly understood.”
He claims in the book: The Queen’s husband had yet to reach the stage where his great age led people to make allowances for eccentricity. He was, to many, a forbidding figure, as I had witnessed.
“One morning in 1977, when serving as a Page of Honour to the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament, I had been shocked at the bite in a sudden outburst he had directed at his wife. She had accepted it with quiet and embarrassed resignation.”
Recap: Diana's 'revulsion' at Mohamed Fayed
09:12 , Bryony GoochEarl Spencer has claimed that his sister Diana disliked Mohamed Fayed, father to her partner Dodi.
In the years since the Princess of Wales’ death, a Metropolitan Police investigation is looking into accusations of sexual assault made against Fayed, who died in 2023.
A passage of Swan Song reads: “Diana disliked Mohamed Fayed. She told me with revulsion how, early in her romance with Dodi, Mohamed had come up to her, dropped a hand onto her buttocks and squeezed them while saying in a leery, suggestive tone, ‘And in Egypt, father- in- law gets first go . . .’
“She laughed when recounting the ghastliness of the episode, but she had been alerted to who Dodi’s father really was.”
Charles was 'always extremely jealous of Diana's star power'
09:01 , Bryony GoochEarl Spencer claimed that King Charles was “always extremely jealous of Diana’s star power” in his newly published book.
In one passage, he says: “While most husbands would have been delighted and proud to have married someone who had turned out to be such an asset for him and his royal brand, the prince was always extremely jealous of Diana’s star power.
“That much had been clear since the day in Sydney, in 1983, when Diana’s huge popularity with the Australian crowd had riled her husband.
“Diana craved his support and approval as – still only twenty- one years old, a new mother, and on her first major overseas tour – she tried to learn how best to perform her royal duties. But she was instead met with an envy that she found perplexing and unfair.”
Charles' aide never forgave him for 'double dealing' with Diana, Earl Spencer claims
08:52 , Bryony GoochEarl Spencer has claimed that one of King Charles’ former palace aides took him aside at an event in London last year and said he would never forgive him for what he did to Diana.
“’I love the monarchy,’ he said, by way of preamble, ‘and I will always serve the Crown with total loyalty. I am also a great admirer of the King, in many ways. But I will never forgive him for what he did to your dear sister when marrying her. It was double- dealing, pure and simple.’”
As Swan Song hits bookshelves, here are some of the emerging lines...
08:46 , Bryony GoochAfter a week of anticipation over Earl Spencer’s biography of his sister Princess Diana, Swan Song has been published. While it has already caused controversy over accusations against King Charles and the late Queen, Earl Spencer has leveled further allegations against Piers Morgan and more.
Here are some of Earl Spencer’s most recent claims...
- Piers Morgan reportedly “snarled with annoyance” upon being informed he was no longer invited to attend Princess Diana’s funeral, Earl Spencer has claimed.
- Princess Diana had suspected King Charles of having a secret tryst with Camilla Parker-Bowles on the royal train, just months before their wedding, her brother’s memoir claims.
- Diana told him Mohamed al-Fayed had “dropped a hand onto her buttocks and squeezed them”, early in her romance with his son Dodi Fayed.
Watch: Piers Morgan threatens legal action over Earl Spencer claims in Diana memoir
08:40 , Bryony GoochRoyal Family carry out engagements as normal as Swan Song comes out
08:20 , Bryony GoochAs Swan Song is set to be released in book shops today, the Royal Family will carry out engagements as normal.
The King is expected to carry out engagements in Scotland from this morning, while at 4.15pm Prince William and Princess Catherine will attend the world premiere of Digger in Leicester Square.
Earl Spencer's book hits shelves
07:33 , Bryony GoochEarl Spencer’s book Swan Song: Diana, My Sister has been published.
The work by Charles Spencer tells the story of his sister Diana, Princess of Wales’s life and death. The book, described as containing “many revelations that will draw considerable attention”, was highly anticipated following the serialisation in The Mail.
It comes ahead of the 30th anniversary of the princess’ death next year.
Earl Spencer says Prince Harry hoped there was 'nothing embarrassing about him' in the book
07:25 , Bryony GoochEarl Spencer said that he told Prince William and Harry at the same time and that the latter was “completely fine” about it.
"I told them exactly the same time. And I can say that Harry is completely fine about it,” he told People.
“He said, I hope there’s nothing embarrassing about him in it. I said, 'There isn’t.' I think they were actually worried where I was going up to with the book."
Watch: Earl Spencer tears up when asked if he misses Diana as he doubles down on claims about King
07:00 , Daniel HaygarthComment: If Prince Harry wants police protection, let him have it
05:00 , Dan HaygarthAs Charles Spencer adds his voice to the Sussexes’ campaign for a security detail, Alexander Larman says, in a world where Liz Truss gets taxpayer-funded protection for life, it seems churlish not to extend it to Diana’s youngest son.
Read more below.
If Prince Harry wants police protection, let him have it
Harry ‘completely fine’ with Diana memoir, Earl Spencer says
04:00 , Dan HaygarthThe Duke of Sussex is “completely fine” with a new memoir chronicling the life of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, his uncle Earl Spencer has said.
The earl has made a series of claims about the King in Swan Song: Diana, My Sister – including that Charles said “we’ll forget her soon enough” after she died – which has prompted a war of words between him and Buckingham Palace.
A palace spokesman said last week that the King is “mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise”.
Asked about telling Harry and the Prince of Wales about the book, the earl told People magazine: “I can say that Harry is completely fine about it.
“He said, I hope there’s nothing embarrassing about him in it. I said, ‘There isn’t’.
“I think they were actually worried where I was going up to with the book.
“It pretty much ends in 1997 with Diana’s death, and there’s a tiny postscript by the grave.
“So I think there was this, ‘Gosh, what’s he written about?’ And I think it’s natural that people so in the public eye are concerned how they will come across in the book.
“But I could reassure both of them that they’re of course in the book, but really as examples of two little boys who had the most exceptional mother, I’m not in any way compromising their privacy at all.”
What is Earl Spencer's relationship with William and Harry?
03:00 , Dan HaygarthEarl Spencer has remained outwardly close with Prince Harry over the years amid the Duke of Sussex’s strained relations with the Windsors, while his relationship with his nephew Prince William remains a lot more private.
The earl said in an interview with the BBC that he did not take sides in the row between the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex.
He told the BBC: “I’m on my deceased sister’s sons’ side, both of them.
“And if either of them wanted anything then I’d be equally there for them.
“And I never get involved in one camp or the other, except as a benign figure I hope.”
Earl Spencer said there are a “lot of reasons on both sides” why the brothers’ relationship had “got to this stage”.
He added: “I hope one day it’s resolved, but I don’t know all – I certainly don’t know what’s been done in the finer detail and so I would feel intrusive if I got more involved than to say of course a mother would want her two sons to be happy together and love each other.”
In full: Prince Harry fights back tears as he praises parents caring for seriously ill children
02:00 , Dan HaygarthThe Duke of Sussex became emotional as he praised "mums and dads" looking after seriously ill children during the WellChild awards.
Harry fought back tears during a speech at the conclusion of the ceremony, which recognised young people living life to the full despite complex medical needs, as he publicly acknowledged the effort of their parents.
Read more:
Harry fights back tears as he praises parents caring for seriously ill children
