Charles Spencer's Diana memoir sells well amid critic scrutiny
Charles Spencer's book about his sister Princess Diana has sold well, but The Sydney Morning Herald reports critics have questioned its factual accuracy and his motives for writing it.
What happened
Charles Spencer, brother of Princess Diana, has released a memoir discussing his sister, including reflections on the eulogy he gave at her funeral.1
The book was released on a Tuesday and, per The Express Tribune's headline, 'flies off the shelves'.2
Some critics have questioned the accuracy of the book and the true state of Spencer's relationship with Diana at the time of her death.3
What's agreed
Reported consistently by outlets in more than one region.
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
Reliability and motivation of Spencer's memoir
Charles Spencer, as described in his book
Spencer presents himself as an eyewitness to history, offering insight into his sister's life and death, including hidden meaning in his funeral eulogy.13
Critics, as cited by The Sydney Morning Herald
Critics describe the book as containing factual errors and characterise it as a commercially driven cash grab, questioning whether Spencer is a reliable narrator and what his real relationship with Diana was at the time of her death.3
How it's framed
What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.
| Perspective | How it reads | What it puts first |
|---|---|---|
| Oceania public broadcaster coverageOceania | ABC News frames the book as a personal revelation, focusing on the previously hidden meaning behind Spencer's eulogy for Diana.1 | hidden meaning, personal reflection, controversial book |
| South Asian private press coverageSouth Asia | The Express Tribune's headline focuses on the commercial success of the memoir rather than its content or reception; this is based on a single headline and may not reflect the full coverage.2 | sales performance, book release |
| Oceania private press coverageOceania | The Sydney Morning Herald takes a more critical stance, questioning the book's factual accuracy and Spencer's motives and reliability as a narrator.3 | factual errors, cash grab, reliability of narrator, true state of relationship |
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed detail the specific factual errors alleged in the book.
- None of the outlets reviewed describe what the 'double meaning' in Spencer's eulogy actually was.
- None of the outlets reviewed provide direct comment from Charles Spencer responding to critics' allegations.
- None of the outlets reviewed give sales figures for the book.
Why it matters
Charles Spencer delivered a widely noted eulogy at Princess Diana's funeral, which he is now revisiting in his memoir.1
Sources (3)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
South Asia
- 2The Express TribunePKPrivate
Oceania
- 1ABC News (Australia)AUPublic broadcaster
Only Princess Diana's brother knew the double meaning in her eulogy, until now
- 3The Sydney Morning HeraldAUPrivate
Diana’s brother says he is an ‘eyewitness to history’ in his memoir. But is he a reliable narrator?