Updated

Updated · BBC.com · Sep 20

Earl Spencer Calls Diana Book His Final Word as BBC Airs Interview Before Tuesday Release

Updated

Updated · BBC.com · Sep 20

Earl Spencer Calls Diana Book His Final Word as BBC Airs Interview Before Tuesday Release

Q: Why were unreleased copies of Earl Spencer's memoir suspiciously stolen in the Netherlands, and who is trying to suppress its contents?

There is no verified evidence that the theft was part of an organized effort to suppress Earl Spencer’s memoir, or that any specific person or institution was behind it. What is known is that four Dutch-language copies of *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister* were stolen from a truck in the Netherlands while the driver was on a mandatory rest break. The incident drew suspicion because only four copies were taken, despite the vehicle carrying many more books, and because the title had been under unusually tight pre-publication security. Publishing sources cited in press reports called that pattern “extremely suspicious,” suggesting the thieves may have known exactly what they were looking for. Why it happened remains unclear. The most plausible theories raised in reporting are that someone wanted an early look at the memoir’s contents, possibly to leak or profit from them, or that the theft was targeted because the book contains damaging claims about the Royal Family, including Spencer’s allegation that King Charles made a dismissive remark about Diana shortly after her death. But those are theories, not established facts. As for who is trying to suppress the book, there is no public evidence that the Royal Household, King Charles, or any other named party attempted to block publication. Dutch police are investigating the break-in, but no suspect or motive has been confirmed. At this stage, any claim of a suppression campaign would be speculation rather than reporting.

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Sep 20

Earl Spencer said he misses Princess Diana "every day" in a BBC interview, describing sibling loss as something "you never get over."
Tuesday's release of "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister" is, he said, his "sign off" as Diana's brother and his "final word" — intended as a celebration of her.
The memoir is expected to be sharply critical of the Royal Family, and Spencer has already used the BBC interview to defend disputed claims about King Charles after Diana's 1997 death.
BBC One will broadcast the full interview at 18:30 BST on Sunday, with the program already available on BBC iPlayer.