Earl Spencer has committed to editing and reprinting his controversial memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, in response to legal threats from broadcaster Piers Morgan. The dispute centers on a passage in which the author incorrectly linked the former Daily Mirror editor to the publication of intimate photographs of the late Princess of Wales.
In the book, the earl claimed that Morgan had been responsible for the 1993 publication of pictures showing Diana exercising in a leotard, images obtained via hidden cameras. Morgan, who publicly challenged the account, stated that he did not join the Daily Mirror until October 1995. Consequently, he demanded that the author pulp the remaining stock and immediately remove the work from sale.
Acknowledging the error, Earl Spencer issued a public apology to Morgan. He stated that because accuracy is vital to his work as a historian, he wished to correct his mistaken assumption regarding Morgan’s tenure at the newspaper. Despite this retraction, the broadcaster confirmed he is continuing his legal action against both the author and the publisher, Penguin, seeking the removal of the false statements and damages to be paid to the King’s Trust.
Morgan expressed his dissatisfaction with the correction, telling the BBC Radio 4 PM programme that the speed of the apology underscored the gravity of the error. He publicly challenged the earl, stating that if the correction required the pulping of the book, that consequence remained the author’s responsibility.
While conceding the factual error regarding the photograph publication, Earl Spencer continues to stand by other accounts within the memoir. He maintains that his recollection of a phone call with Morgan, in which he informed the journalist he was not welcome at his sister’s funeral, remains accurate. According to the earl, Morgan was notably “surly and annoyed” during that exchange.
The memoir has also drawn attention for its claims involving King Charles. The author alleged that during an intense telephone conversation following Princess Diana’s death in a Paris car crash, the King remarked, “we’ll forget her soon enough.”
In response to the memoir’s claims regarding the King, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace previously addressed the narrative. They stated that while the palace does not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty remains mindful that the profound pain of fraternal grief can influence memory and judgment in ways that others might not perceive, even years after such a significant loss.
The legal standoff continues to unfold as the publisher prepares for the requested revisions. Morgan has reiterated on social media that he expects the alleged defamatory content to be removed entirely from future copies. The report also notes that the Times has now reported that future editions will be edited to rectify the error. The report also notes that “The photographs were published by the Sunday Mirror on November 7 1993. The report also notes that he therefore wishes to clarify that his assumption was incorrect. The report also notes that he told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme he had asked his lawyers to send a legal letter to both the earl and the book’s publishers. The report also notes that “The mere fact he has so speedily issued an apology should say it all. The report also notes that well that’s on you.”, and if that means you have to pulp your book.
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