The controversy erupted after the publication of Earl Spencer’s book *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister* on Tuesday, in which he alleges that King Charles said the family would “forget her soon enough” after Princess Diana’s death and describes the monarch as “giddily elated” in the wake of the fatal crash.
Spencer also accused Morgan of being responsible for publishing covert photographs of Diana in a leotard at a London gym in 1993, a claim the former Mirror editor rejected, noting he was working for *The Sun* at the time and did not join the *Daily Mirror* until 1995.
During the interview, Morgan said, “I know for a fact the royal family are spitting blood, they are furious about this,” and described the memoir as a “deliberate attempt to destroy King Charles’s reputation.” He added that he had asked his lawyers to send a legal letter to both Spencer and the book’s publisher, Penguin, demanding the work be withdrawn.
Spencer issued an apology for the erroneous claim about the 1993 photographs, stating that as a historian “accuracy is important” and that his assumption about Morgan’s involvement was incorrect. He maintained, however, that his account of a phone call in which Morgan was told he was not welcome at Diana’s funeral was accurate.
Morgan refuted Spencer’s account of the phone call, calling it “absolute nonsense” and insisting he had been respectful, offering condolences to Spencer’s mother before being told he was unwelcome.
The disputed photographs were originally taken by Bryce Taylor, the owner of a London LA Fitness centre, using a hidden camera. Diana sued Taylor and Mirror Group Newspapers; the case was settled out of court in 1995 with costs covered and a charitable donation made.
Representatives for both Earl Spencer and Buckingham Palace have been contacted for comment. The legal threat, if pursued, could result in the book being pulped, though no court action has yet been filed.