Charles clashed with Prince Philip at Diana’s funeral, Earl Spencer claims as he slams lack of care for grieving Harry

KING Charles clashed with Prince Philip at Diana’s funeral, Earl Spencer’s new book claims. The shock new claim about what went on behind the scenes at the farewell to William and Harry’s mother comes in the new book by her brother. Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and then-Prince Charles walk outside Westminster Abbey during the funeral service for Diana Credit: AFP Charles Spencer claimed in his new memoir that the then-prince said “rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough” Credit: AFP Diana’s brother said the clash broke out over whether the young princes should follow the procession during the funeral in September 1997. The Earl also blasted the lack of care shown to Prince Harry after his mother’s death, insisting: “He was allowed to spin out of control.” Sign up for the Royals newsletter Thank you! Spencer claims Charles tried to take charge of proceedings and dictate where he and his sons would walk in the procession. Serialised in the Daily Mail, Earl Spencer recalls Charles saying “Now, I will walk in the centre, with William on my right and Harry on my left” before Prince Philip overruled him. In a new TV interview, the Earl has revealed more details after Diana’s death Credit: PA Diana died in a car crash in Paris, August of 1997 Credit: Getty The Earl claims Prince Philip’s said “No, that isn’t how we will do it. “Charles is representing his sister and their family, so he will walk in the middle, with William and Harry either side of him, and you and I will be on the outside flanks.” Speaking of Charles’ appearance in a Daily Mail article, Earl Spencer said: “This ex-husband, from a marriage that had collapsed so bitterly four years before and finally ended in divorce a year earlier, surely had no place at his ex’s funeral.” In contrast Earl Spencer said Prince Philip was overcome with calm and quiet kindness as he was determined to help his motherless grandsons in their walk to the funeral, despite the objections from Charles. Most read in Royals He described walking behind Diana’s coffin with her young boys, as well as the funeral service where he delivered his infamous eulogy vowing to protect her sons. And recalling the moment they walked from St James’s Palace to Westminster Abbey, he wrote: “I could not get over how tiny, and slight, and bereft, Harry looked. “Too small to be doing this, I thought, and wondered how on earth this heartbroken child could bear the ordeal of that moment, or how he could possibly be expected to deal with the agony that the day ahead would insist upon.” He added that William was the perfect image of his mother, appearing more reserved than his brother. Diana alongside the Queen mother and Prince William just 10 years before she died Credit: Getty – Contributor Prince Harry, however, seems in better spirits as he plays pickle ball with students during a visit to a Birmingham school Credit: AP The family then travelled to Althorp, where Diana would be laid to rest, with Harry remaining Earl Spencer’s primary concern. The Earl added how the young boy must have been craving a hug from his mother, but would never get to again. He called him “alone in his despair and torment”. Reflecting on this period of time, Charles Spencer wishes more was done to stop Harry spiralling out of control. A Royal spokesman 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.” Despite the storm brewing over the Earl’s memoir, the Duke of Sussex appeared in good spirits while playing pickleball with schoolchildren earlier today. Harry met pupils at Ninestiles, an Academy, in Birmingham, to mark the launch of a new Invictus Games education scheme called Inspire. Playing several rallies against children in Year 7 and Year 11, Harry joked his back was in pain after reaching for a low shot – and cried out “nice” when one of players won a point. During a question-and-answer session with the children, the duke was asked by a pupil to name someone who inspired him. Harry replied: “It’s not a single person, it’s a whole group of people. And it’s not always the people you probably think it is.” Pointing to the Invictus Games competitors, he said: “It’s these guys. This Invictus community of people who get knocked down but keep getting back up.” Comment now