Earl Spencer has reaffirmed his claim that Prince Charles told him, shortly after Princess Diana’s death, “we’ll forget her soon enough”. He says the remark came during an argument about William and Harry’s role in Diana’s funeral and has rejected Buckingham Palace’s suggestion that grief affected his memory.

In a BBC interview, Spencer said he remembered the conversation precisely because he had spoken to Charles on only two occasions and was highly attentive. His forthcoming memoir also describes Harry’s distress during the funeral and Spencer’s private farewell to Diana beside her coffin, while the allegations have prompted strong public disagreement.