Author: Charles Spencer
Autobiography: royalty
Published on 22 September 2026 by Penguin Books Ltd (Michael Joseph Ltd) in the United Kingdom.
Hardback | 384 pages
163 x 242 x 37mm | 632g
Beautiful. Beloved. Hunted. The extraordinary life and death of Diana, as told by her brother, Charles.
‘Head-spinning, fascinating, truly touching, devastating. A portrait of Diana that is affectionate, sad, and lovely’ Guardian‘Explosive, devastating, astonishing, extraordinary’ Daily Mail***'When asked, ‘What was it like, growing up with Diana?’, my first thought is always, But I don’t know what it was like not to grow up with her…’ In September 1997, Charles Spencer stood in Westminster Abbey before a watching world and shared his grief at losing his beloved sister, Diana. Now, nearly thirty years later, he tells the astonishing story of his life with Diana and the tragic week of her death.
In childhood, Charles and Diana, the youngest Spencers, were inseparable – secretly calling one another Duch and Carlos. As each other’s closest confidantes, they roamed the family estate, endured extremely challenging boarding schools, survived terrifying nannies and helped each other through the agony of their parents’ divorce.
Yet everything changed when Diana married the Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, and overnight became a global icon. Charles saw his older sister serve the world’s marginalized and relish being mother to her treasured sons.
But, pursued by a barbaric press as her royal marriage crumbled, she was left desperately alone. Charles always tried to be there for Diana – until that black night in August, 1997.
In Swan Song, Charles Spencer provides the most intimate, loving and honest portrait yet of his sister.
***'Compelling, fascinating, a solemn act of brotherly devotion ’ The Times'A poignant, honest portrayal . . . and one that will endure’ Daily Express'Credible and candid and vitally it re-centres Diana, whom the Palace have been wiping from national memory for many years. I was moved to tears' Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, i'A brotherly tribute to the People’s Princess, no holds barred . . . Full of love and vengeance' New York Times'Charles Spencer was there for all this history, indelibly present in one of the most iconic tableaux of the late 20th century. After holding back for so long, his memoir finally tells us what it was like' Tina Brown, Fresh Hell SubstackPraise for Charles Spencer’s writing:'Top marks for its searing frankness, framed in wistfully beautiful prose’ The Times‘Acutely observant, his turn of phrase is often delightful' Daily Telegraph‘A moving, heartbreaking memoir’ Financial Times‘A tour de force' Washington Post
