Royal statement on Earl Spencer's book claims was a 'terribly misguided mistake' and the King should not have responded 'so quickly', claims RICHARD EDEN in Palace Confidential

Buckingham Palace's statement on Earl Spencer's book claims was a 'terribly misguided mistake', the Daily Mail's Diary Editor Richard Eden has claimed.Speaking on a new episode of this newspaper's flagship Palace Confidential show, Mr Eden was joined by Royal Editor Rebecca English, Queen Elizabeth II's former Press Secretary Ailsa Anderson and host Luke Blackall.Earl Spencer's explosive memoir - being exclusively serialised by the Daily Mail - has sent shockwaves through the Royal Family and saw the Palace suggest that grief can 'cloud reason, affect judgement and colour memory'.The Earl's incendiary claim that – days after Diana's death in a car crash – King Charles said: 'Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough', triggered a war of words yesterday, as royal aides questioned the veracity of his account.A statement from the Palace read: '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.'Now, Mr Eden has revealed that he believes the Palace's statement was 'terribly misguided' - and that it was 'unnecessary' for the King to have responded 'so quickly' to the Earl's explosive claims.'I'm just terribly saddened and actually quite angry about it. I think it was a terribly misguided thing to do - to respond so quickly in this way,' said Mr Eden in the latest Palace Confidential episode.Mr Spencer, 62, said that Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, has been written to correct ‘untruths’ told about his older sister - and saw him lift the lid on an alleged incendiary row with the now King over Diana's funeral arrangements almost 30 years ago. Buckingham Palace's statement on Earl Spencer's book claims was a 'terribly misguided mistake', the Daily Mail's Diary Editor Richard Eden has claimed Speaking on a new episode of this newspaper's flagship Palace Confidential show, Mr Eden was joined by Royal Editor Rebecca English, Queen Elizabeth II's former Press Secretary Ailsa Anderson and host Luke Blackall The Earl's incendiary claim that – days after Diana's death in a car crash – King Charles said: 'Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough', triggered a war of words yesterday, as royal aides questioned the veracity of his accountThe argument followed the decision, opposed by Diana's brother the Earl, that Prince William and Prince Harry, then aged 15 and 12, would walk in their mother's funeral procession.The Earl says he insisted to the then Prince of Wales that Diana would not have wanted her young sons to endure such a public ordeal.It is claimed Charles then questioned the Spencer family’s sense of duty before saying his former wife, whose death sparked a global outpouring of grief, would soon be forgotten.'Throughout her 70-year reign, the Queen took that view of "never complain, never explain",' Mr Eden added. 'Yes, the exception was after the Oprah Winfrey interview. But even that statement people remember it for the recollections may vary, but it was a very emollient statement.'In March 2021, Queen Elizabeth II broke her silence on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's allegations made during their interview with Oprah in an unprecedented statement.'The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members,' she said. Mr Eden added that while the late Queen's statement was an attempt to 'smooth things over', Charles's response to Earl Spencer's claims took a more 'aggressive' tone.'The reason I'm angry about it is because the King never said anything when Harry's book came out,' said Mr Eden. 'It was terrible the things that Harry said about Prince William and particularly Catherine who never answered back.'As soon as a book comes out that criticises him for something he said 30 years ago, he rushes to put out a statement the week before the book comes out. I think it's a terrible mistake.' Rebecca English then added: 'I can't make up my mind whether it was the right thing to do. But I don't think we can deny that this has changed the way the book is being perceived.'Ms Anderson said: 'I understand what you are saying about Spare. What Charles Spencer is saying is about the death of a woman and her ex-husband's reaction to it which is abhorrent in any set of circumstances, whether you're a member of the Royal Family or someone walking down the street.'And I think that is why they have reacted so quickly, is because of the set of circumstances compared to Spare.'The Earl, Diana and Charles at the Earl's 21st birthday party in 1985 at the Mirabelle restaurant in London. Mr Eden has revealed that he believes the Palace's statement was 'terribly misguided' - and that it was 'unnecessary' for the King to have responded 'so quickly' Mr Spencer, 62, said that Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, has been written to correct ‘untruths’ told about his older sister - and saw him lift the lid on an alleged incendiary row with the now King over Diana's funeral arrangements almost 30 years ago Earl Spencer, Prince William, Prince Harry and then Prince Charles stand outside Westminster Abbey on the day of Princess Diana's funeralThe book's first astonishing extract made headlines around the world and is splitting society with rival camps backing either side.Announcing the book last month, Earl Spencer said that, ahead of the 30th anniversary of Diana's death next year, he wanted to write down his own thoughts and memories 'rather than having the discomfort of again reading the opinions of others'.Diana lost her HRH title after her divorce in August 1996 and was instead styled Diana, Princess of Wales.Describing the Queen's offer, made just hours after he delivered his defiant eulogy at Diana's funeral, Earl Spencer writes: 'When we had gone some miles, Robert beckoned me to follow him into a quiet corner of the carriage.'I have just received a call from Her Majesty …and she would like to offer Diana her HRH title back.' Mr Fellowes died in 2024.The earl later wondered whether he was right to reject the offer, and that 'maybe Diana would have seen some point in having HRH carved on her tombstone'.But he said he 'had no doubt that the consolation prize was hollow, however well-meaning the Queen's gesture', adding: 'The title should never have been removed during her life, in which case it would not have been necessary to offer it to her in death.'The memoir provides, for the first time, Earl Spencer's insight into his sister's deeply unhappy 15-year marriage and the then Prince of Wales's love for her rival Camilla.He recalls that on the day of Diana's magnificent wedding in July 1981, he visited her at Clarence House where he found her 'sitting quietly in front of a mirror'.'Only much later would I discover that, as she confided to a close friend, her husband-to-be had told her the previous day that she needed to know that he was very happy to marry her, but he was not actually in love with her,' he writes.One royal aide later described the earl's account to the BBC as a 'demonstrably untrue claim' about a deeply compassionate man.Julian Payne, the King's former communications secretary, yesterday said the King had told staff never to criticise Diana for years after her death.The Palace declined to comment on the Earl's further claims last night.Watch the full episode HERE