As Charles refutes Earl Spencer’s claim about Diana, how royal statements give a glimpse behind palace doors
From ‘there were three of us in this marriage’ to ‘recollections may vary’, a lot can be conveyed with a carefully worded phrase
TL;DR
- Buckingham Palace issued an uncharacteristic, swift denial of Earl Spencer's claim about King Charles's alleged comments regarding Princess Diana's death.
- The palace's response, 'the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise,' is compared to Queen Elizabeth II's 'recollections may vary' statement.
- The usual royal mantra is 'never complain, never explain,' but the personal nature of this allegation necessitated a direct rebuttal.
- The article contrasts this with other instances where royal statements, though often subtle, have carried significant weight, such as Diana's 'three of us in this marriage' comment and the Sussexes' 'life of service' statement.
- The late Duke of Edinburgh is mentioned as an exception, known for his direct, unvarnished remarks rather than diplomatic rebukes.