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- Queen Camilla urges people to come ‘together’ as war over Princess Diana book rages on (irishstar.com)
Queen Camilla Calls for Unity Amid Controversy Over Princess Diana Memoir
As tensions rise surrounding Earl Spencer’s forthcoming memoir about his late sister, Princess Diana, Queen Camilla has made a heartfelt appeal for unity. The book, set to be published on September 22, contains explosive allegations about King Charles III’s conduct following Diana’s tragic death in 1997.
Speaking at the Queen’s Reading Room Festival held at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire on September 19, Camilla emphasized the importance of coming together during difficult times. She quoted a proverb that resonated with her: “If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.” Her remarks come amid reports that she remains fiercely protective of her husband as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle prepare to return to the UK.
Earl Spencer has doubled down on the claims made in his memoir, which is being serialized by The Daily Mail. Among the most contentious revelations are allegations that then-Prince Charles reacted angrily when challenged about having Princes William and Harry walk behind Diana’s funeral procession.
Spencer alleges the King became “ballistic” during a phone call and even said, “We’ll forget her soon enough.” The book further suggests that Charles sounded “giddily elated” upon hearing of Diana’s death in a Paris car accident and that he told Diana he was “not actually in love with her” shortly before their 1981 wedding.
Buckingham Palace has issued a rare statement in response, highlighting the challenges of coping with fraternal grief. The statement reads, “While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss.”
At the festival, Queen Camilla also reaffirmed her passion for literature and the mission behind the Queen’s Reading Room initiative. “I created my Reading Room simply because, like all of us here, I love books and their life-enhancing power and I want to share that love with others,” she said. Since its inception six years ago, the initiative has grown into a global community spanning over 180 countries, encouraging book exchanges, research, and donations to women’s refuges and homeless shelters.
Camilla concluded by expressing gratitude to the many writers, actors, publishers, and readers who have supported the project, emphasizing the unifying power of books amid challenging times.