The recent excerpt from Charles Spencer’s book about his sister, the late Princess Diana, brings forth a startling claim regarding her divorce from Charles, the future king. It suggests she discovered an affair between Charles and his valet. The 9th Earl Spencer, in his book “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,” touches briefly on this claim. However, he extensively describes tense discussions he had with Charles after Diana’s 1997 death.
Spencer recalls an occasion in the 1990s when Diana confided in him about her intention to divorce. She revealed her reason, stating, “But my husband is in love with his valet.” Spencer was taken aback, as he realized things were worse than he had imagined.
Though Spencer does not name the valet, reporter Tom Sykes identifies him in connection with a rumor from the early 2000s. This rumor alluded to a relationship between Charles and one of his employees, but a 2003 investigation found no evidence of misconduct. Charles’ then-spokesperson rejected the claim as “ludicrous.”
Charles’ valet during this period was Michael Fawcett, fondly regarded by Charles as a close confidant. Fawcett later became embroiled in the “cash-for-honors” scandal in 2021, alleged to involve offers to help secure British citizenship for financial contributions.
Sykes mentions that the rumor was further fueled by George Smith, another valet, who claimed to have witnessed an inappropriate incident. Smith’s account, allegedly recorded by Diana, became a point of interest during different legal proceedings. Smith’s allegations were often dismissed, as he suffered mental health challenges.
Fawcett took legal steps to prevent his name from appearing in reports about these allegations, strongly denying their validity. Charles’ representatives, including Sir Michael Peat, consistently repudiated such claims.
Buckingham Palace recently addressed Spencer’s book, suggesting grief may distort memory. Nonetheless, it is uncertain if any further statements will be made.
Prominent figures like Piers Morgan expressed disbelief, questioning why Spencer waited so long to address such claims. Some public reactions suggest skepticism towards Spencer’s motivations, speculating this move is designed to generate sensational interest.
The excerpt also highlights Spencer’s recollections of a heated dispute over the participation of Prince William and Prince Harry in their mother’s funeral procession, which intensified tensions between Spencer and Charles.
Leave a Reply