'This gives me the opportunity to lay certain myths to rest': Earl Spencer defends memoir from his Althorp home

Charles Spencer's fiery new memoir is an opportunity to 'lay certain myths to rest' about his sister Diana, the earl has told People magazine.The 9th Earl Spencer's new book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, was published today.Its serialisation in the Daily Mail – including bombastic claims that the then–Prince Charles said she would be forgotten 'soon enough' after her death – has set tongues wagging around the world.Speaking to the US magazine from his Althorp estate in Northamptonshire, the earl says the book is his chance to set the record straight on stories that have followed his late sister for decades following her death in August 1997.'I think this does give me the opportunity to lay certain myths to rest,' he said.Among those myths is the notion that his sister had an unhappy childhood, the earl said, describing their time growing up together as 'really happy'. Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, told People magazine his new book is a chance to 'lay certain myths to rest' about his sister Diana, Princess of Wales The earl posed for new photographs at his Althorp estate, including one alongside a portrait depicting his sister He spoke to People magazine in the latest of a series of interviews defending claims made in his new memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister'There was the blight of my mother leaving home, but my father was a really caring father and made the house really joyful,' he said.However, the earl has accepted that recollections may have differed between his sister and himself. The Princess of Wales had once described her childhood as 'very unhappy', recalling seeing her father John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, slapping her mother Frances Shand Kydd across the face.The couple separated when Diana was seven years old, with their father gaining custody of the children.Diana grew up with two older sisters, Lady Sarah and Lady Jane, as well as younger brother Charles, three years her junior. Her older brother John died hours after his birth in 1960. Addressing his sister's view on her childhood, Earl Spencer said he had spoken to those who knew them as children, including a nanny named Sally, to ensure he was providing a truthful account.'She remembered Diana as this very happy little girl,' he says. 'Maybe there was stuff going on inside that was more personal than she was processing, but at the time I think we seemed very happy.'The Earl added that he would 'love to laugh with her again' given the chance. The pair, he said, shared 'the same sense of humour... quite sort of, not dark, but quite edgy humour'. Earl Spencer poses lakeside at his Althorp estate in Northamptonshire in a number of new photographs taken for People magazine The earl married his wife Cat (pictured with him) in May this year, almost two years after their relationship first became public knowledge Swan Song: Diana, My Sister was released today – following its explosive serialisation in the Daily MailSwan Song was exclusively serialised in the Mail last week. Its explosive revelations of how the future King was said to have reacted to his ex–wife's death sparked furious denials from within the Palace.In the book, Earl Spencer claims Charles sounded 'giddily elated... like a lottery winner' in a phone call after her death.The then–Prince of Wales is said to have 'monstrously' remarked: 'Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough' as he discussed her funeral arrangements with her brother.The disagreement had occurred as the earl sought to block the royals' attempts to make William and Harry walk behind Diana's coffin during her funeral procession.Despite his opposition, the teenage princes ultimately did walk in the shadow of their mother's coffin. Prince Harry would later remark: 'I don't think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances.'Swan Song also includes claims that Queen Elizabeth II offered to return Diana's HRH style – revoked after her divorce from Charles – in the days after her death. The offer was made to Earl Spencer via her Private Secretary, Robert Fellowes. But the earl says he turned the 'well–meaning' offer down, asking: 'But what's the point, Robert? Now? I mean – Diana's dead.'Buckingham Palace has taken the rare step of issuing a statement pushing back against Spencer's claims.'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,' it said.But Earl Spencer has used interviews in the days since to double down on his remarks.He added to People: 'I respect the institution of the Crown, and I know that most people in Britain do, especially the older generation.'But when I'm writing this book, I'm not interested in who people are in terms of status. I'm looking at them as people. And the central person, the only one that really matters, is Diana.'See more of Charles Spencer's People cover story on The People App. The issue is available on US newsstands nationwide Friday. Read part one of our exclusive serialisation of Swan Song: Diana, My Sister – the searing memoir that has started a war of words with the King – hereRead part two: Earl Spencer criticises the royals' 'lack of obvious care' for Prince Harry on the day of his mother Diana's funeral