Prince Harry Revealed Diana's Funeral Walk Was Branded 'Barbaric', Charles Spencer Details Battle Behind It

Earl Spencer has detailed his opposition to Prince William and Prince Harry walking behind their mother Princess Diana's coffin at her 1997 funeral, including an alleged argument with the then Prince of Wales over the decision.

Writing in his forthcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, Spencer claims he told Charles that Diana would not have wanted her young sons to endure the public walk. Harry had previously described his uncle's opposition as 'barbaric' in his 2023 memoir, Spare, adding to accounts of a disagreement over the role the two princes would play in the funeral procession.

The memoir has drawn a response from Buckingham Palace. A Palace spokesperson said the King does not comment on books as a matter of principle, but added that grief can affect reason, judgement and memory without directly addressing Spencer's recollection of the alleged conversation.

Princes Walked Behind Diana's Coffin

Diana's funeral took place on 6 September 1997, six days after she died in a car crash in Paris. William, then 15, and Harry, then 12, walked behind their mother's coffin during the procession from St James's Palace to Westminster Abbey.

They were accompanied by their father, then Prince Charles, their grandfather Prince Philip and Spencer, Diana's younger brother.

Spencer has previously discussed his opposition to the arrangement. In the 2017 BBC documentary Diana, 7 Days, he said he had tried to prevent the princes from taking part because he was concerned about the effect of the walk on them.

His memoir provides further details of the dispute, claiming he argued that Diana would not have wanted her sons to endure such a public ordeal while grieving.

William and Harry later gave a different account. William described the choice as a 'collective family decision'. Harry said he had been unsure whether it was right, but added that he was ultimately glad he had taken part.

Harry revisited the funeral in Spare, recalling the sounds of the horses and gun carriage during the procession. He also wrote that Spencer had strongly objected to the arrangement, describing his uncle as saying it was 'barbaric'.

Conversation With Charles

Spencer also describes an alleged telephone conversation with Charles. According to the memoir, he claims the then Prince of Wales became angry during their discussion and told him: 'Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough.'

Spencer links the alleged comment to the wider disagreement over Diana's funeral and the decision to have her sons walk behind her coffin. The claim has not been independently established.

The Palace did not directly confirm or deny Spencer's account. Its statement instead referred to the possible effect of grief on how events are remembered.

Spencer's New Memoir

Spencer's memoir is being serialised by the Daily Mail ahead of its publication on 22 September. The book covers his memories of Diana and the events surrounding her death and funeral.

Spencer has said he wanted to record his own memories of his sister as the 30th anniversary of her death approaches, after receiving repeated requests to discuss her life and concerns about accounts he believes contain inaccuracies.

The new details add to previous accounts of the funeral procession from Spencer and Harry, while William and Harry's earlier comments provide a different perspective on how the decision was reached. The specific details of Spencer's alleged conversation with Charles remain his account and have not been independently verified.