The Untold Story of Princess Diana’s Mother, Frances Shand Kydd

Sep 9, 2026 | Long before Princess Diana became one of the most famous women in the world, she was the daughter of Frances Shand Kydd, a woman whose own life was marked by aristocratic privilege, family conflict, divorce, tragedy and years spent largely away from the public spotlight.

In this documentary, we explore the life of Frances Shand Kydd and the family history behind one of the most famous women of the 20th century.

Born Frances Ruth Roche, she grew up within the British aristocracy and married John Spencer, Viscount Althorp, becoming the mother of five children, including Diana.

Her marriage to the future 8th Earl Spencer ended in a highly publicised divorce, and the separation had a profound impact on the Spencer family.

We follow Frances through the major chapters of her life, from her childhood and aristocratic upbringing to her marriage, motherhood, and relationship with her children. We also look at her relationship with Diana and how their family experiences shaped the woman who would eventually become the People’s Princess.

Frances’s story was not always an easy one. Her life included personal loss, family tensions and complicated relationships, all while living within the expectations of Britain’s aristocratic society. Although she was best known publicly as Princess Diana’s mother, Frances Shand Kydd was a fascinating figure in her own right.

This is the story of the woman behind Diana — her family, her marriages, her children, her struggles and the life she lived away from the royal spotlight.

Diana to Philip: 'My Title Is OLDER

Here’s the low-down.

Charles Spencer Speaks Out about the Reactions His Princess Diana Memoir Has Caused

Sep 22, 2026 | Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer speaks out in a new interview about palace reaction to the new book “Swan Song” and the feuds that unfolded beyond the headlines.

Earl Spencer's Claims ‘Remind Me of Virginia Giuffre’s Accusations against Andrew’ | Andrew Lownie

Sep 21, 2026 | “It reminds me very much of what Virginia Giuffre said in the accusations with the then Prince Andrew.”

The conflicting accounts given by Earl Spencer and the King about the aftermath of Diana’s death echo the public dispute when Virginia Giuffre first made claims about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, observes historian and author Andrew Lownie.

Full Interview: Earl Spencer on Diana Book Claims, Her Legacy and Harry and Meghan

n this UK exclusive, Laura Kuenssberg interviews Earl Spencer after explosive new revelations in his latest book about his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales, her marriage to the now King, her tragic death, and the lasting impact on her children, Princes William and Harry.

This week, a Buckingham Palace Spokesperson said: "While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss.”

Why Is Diana’s Brother Making Claims about the King Now? | BBC Newscast

Sep 20, 2026 | Laura has interviewed Princess Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, who has defended his claims about a phone call with King Charles. He says the then-Prince of Wales said "we'll forget her soon enough" during an argument over whether Princes William and Harry should walk in Diana's funeral procession.

The Palace released a statement questioning his version of events, saying “grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory.”

So, what does the Earl Spencer say to that? And has this row become about integrity, and the right to tell Princess Diana’s story?

Earl Spencer Says Media Treatment of Harry and Meghan ‘Echoes’ Diana’s Experience

THE GUARDIAN: Comments come after he accused King Charles of gaslighting him in response to claims made in new memoir

Earl Spencer has said the relationship between the press and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex “echoes” the way the media treated his sister Diana, Princess of Wales.

In an interview with the BBC to be aired on Sunday evening, Spencer described the press’s coverage of Harry and Meghan as having a “cancerous influence”, adding it would be “beholden on people to learn from Diana’s example”.

He said: “If you look at an article in a tabloid about Diana or the couple that you were mentioning, Harry and Meghan, you know, they can be really, really unpleasant. And I think it would be really beholden on people to learn from Diana’s example.

“I’m not here to speak for Harry and Meghan, but for anyone who’s being destroyed in this way daily, it must be such a cancerous influence in their life.”

He said Diana was “really brought low” by criticism she received from the media, adding it was a pity to see “echoes of that” in the press coverage of Harry and Meghan. » | PA Media | Sunday, September 20, 2026

Earl Spencer: The King Is Gaslighting Me

THE TELEGRAPH: Diana’s brother says Palace response to his claims was ‘below the belt’

Screenshot taken from this Telegraph article. | Earl Spencer has made a series of claims about the King in a new book about his sister. Credit: PA/Jeff Overs/BBC
Earl Spencer has accused the King of gaslighting him after Buckingham Palace responded to claims he made in his new book.

The Earl alleged that during a phone call before the funeral of his sister Diana, the then Prince of Wales remarked: “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.”

The allegation prompted a response from Buckingham Palace, which said “the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason”.

Now, the Earl has accused the King of gaslighting him and called the response a “rather poor imitation of the ‘recollections may vary’ quote” – the late Queen’s response to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s allegations in their Oprah Winfrey interview, The Mail on Sunday reported.

He said: “It is not every day you wake up to find you’ve been gaslit by the King.

“It was astonishingly provocative and below the belt because it was essentially trying to say I’d lied without the King being able to deny what I’d said.

“I also thought it was a rather poor imitation of the ‘recollections may vary’ quote, which was a much more elegant way of putting things, but in these circumstances entirely out of place.” » | Telegraph Reporters | Sunday, September 20, 2026

Princess Diana's Iconic 'Revenge Dress' Goes to Auction • FRANCE 24 English

Sep 19, 2026 | As the worldwide release of Diana Spencer’s brother’s book prompts a reaction from King Charles and the British Crown, another piece of Diana's legacy is making headlines – the iconic little black dress, worn by the then Princess of Wales, is going under the hammer. Better known as the "Revenge Dress", it would go on to inspire generations of women.

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Princess Diana’s Brother Recounts “Monstrous'” Phone Call with King Charles | ABC NEWS

Sep 19, 2026 | The late Princess Diana’s brother has ramped up allegations against King Charles and the Royal family in his first televised interview to promote his memoir about his sister.

Charles Spencer claims the then-prince sounded ‘giddily elated’ after his wife’s death and went “ballistic” and ranted in a phone conversation with the Spencer family.

Buckingham Palace has released a statement in response, suggesting that “fraternal grief can cloud judgement”.

Bombshell Diana Book Sparks Royal Row between King Charles and Earl Spencer | The Latest

Sep 18, 2026 | Buckingham Palace has issued a rare, and strong, rebuttal to claims made in Earl Spencer’s memoir Swan Song.

The book claims that King Charles told Spencer days after Diana’s death and during a heated row over funeral arrangements: ‘Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.’

Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s senior national news editor, Aaron Sharp

King Charles Is a 'Bore' Who Was 'Envious' of Diana from the Start | AN Wilson

Sep 18, 2026 | “Everybody who saw [Princess Diana], even if they only saw her on the screen, was enchanted by her. Nobody's ever been enchanted by Prince Charles or King Charles. He's a bore.”

Although King Charles “has been a much better king than many of us dreaded”, he will still be forgotten, says historian AN Wilson.

Earl Spencer Stands by Claims about King Charles and Diana after Palace Response

Sep 18, 2026 | Earl Spencer has defended the explosive claims made in his new book about the death of his sister, Princess Diana - insisting King Charles had gone "ballistic" before claiming Diana would soon be forgotten.

Buckingham Palace said yesterday it did not comment on books - but then commented - suggesting Earl Spencer's memories from the time were not correct.

Princess Diana’s Brother Reveals New Allegations against King Charles

Sep 18, 2026 | Earl Charles Spencer made claims in his new book about how he said King Charles reacted to learning about Princess Diana’s death, sparking rare reply from Buckingham Palace.

A Whole Lot More’ Could Be Coming the King’s Way | Roya Nikkhah

Sep 17, 2026 | “There’s no love lost between elements of the royal family and Charles Spencer.”

The disagreement between the King and Earl Spencer is “quite a spat”, and it is doubtful that Earl Spencer's initial claim is the “worst thing in the book”, says royal editor for The Times Roya Nikkhah.

The New War of Words between King Charles and Diana's Brother

Sep 18, 2026 | As the latest extract of Earl Spencer's book is released, the Talking Royals team are back with all the new details.

First, Charles Spencer alleged the then-Prince of Wales said "we'll forget her soon enough" in the aftermath of Diana's death. Then, there was a stinging statement from Buckingham Palace, questioning Diana's brother's recollections. And now the first full extract has been released, detailing the war of words between Charles Windsor and Charles Spencer.

Plus, Chris and Lizzie have the inside story on why Harry and Meghan were forced to change Archie and Lilibet's school, just days into the start of the new school term.

And why did Meghan release a video with details of their new life in the UK?

Earl Spencer 'May Be Angry' about the King's Success | Lord McConnell

Sep 18, 2026 | "It feels a bit like washing the family linen in public."

Earl Spencer "may be angry" that King Charles and Camilla have made a "success of their succession" and "transformed the monarchy" despite beliefs that his reign would be a disaster, says former Labour first minister of Scotland, Lord McConnell.

Earl Spencer’s Book Is ‘Bristling with Hostility’ towards King Charles | Jennie Bond

Sep 18, 2026 | “It's one heck of a mess.”

Earl Spencer’s explosive revelations about King Charles, such as that he was “giddily elated” upon learning the news of Princess Diana’s death, are deepening divisions within the royal family and causing further pain for William and Harry, says former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond.

'It's Insulting': Shelagh Fogarty Reacts to 'Nonsense' Palace Response

Sept 17, 2026 | Shelagh Fogarty reacts as the Palace hits back at Earl Spencer's allegation that King Charles said 'we'll forget' Diana following her death.

Spencer claimed the former Prince of Wales levelled a "stream of anger" at him after insisting that Diana would not have wanted Princes William and Harry, then aged 15 and 12, to walk in her funeral procession.

The claim has been strongly rebuked by Buckingham Palace, who have said Charles Spencer's grief of losing his sister had caused his memory of events to be distorted.

Earl Spencer Claims King Charles Said Diana Would Be Forgotten 'Soon Enough' | Kinsey Schofield

Sep 17, 2026 | “It's an allegation that could alter the way people interpret King Charles’s behaviour during one of the most consequential and traumatic weeks of his life.”

Buckingham Palace fears that Earl Spencer’s claim about King Charles is an “extraordinarily damaging allegation” that become "shorthand" for how the public views the King’s character, says royal reporter Kinsey Schofield.

Buckingham Palace denies King Charles said Diana would be forgotten "soon enough".