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Princess Diana wanted to call off her engagement to then-Prince Charles before their 1981 royal wedding, according to new revelations from her brother, Charles Spencer, in his forthcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.

The book, scheduled for publication Sept. 22, 2026, offers Spencer's personal account of Diana's life, her troubled marriage and the final days surrounding her death in 1997. According to excerpts reported ahead of publication, Diana became increasingly uncertain about marrying Charles and eventually told their father that she wanted to end the engagement.

Her father, Edward John Spencer, reportedly opposed the idea because he believed breaking off the engagement would embarrass the royal family.

The couple had announced their engagement on Feb. 24, 1981. Charles was 32 and Diana was 19. They married at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on July 29, 1981.

A Bracelet Linked to Camilla

According to Spencer's account, Diana's doubts intensified after she discovered a bracelet Charles had purchased for Camilla Parker Bowles, his former girlfriend and future wife.

The revelation reportedly left Diana distressed and contributed to her growing belief that Charles remained emotionally attached to Camilla.

Spencer writes that Diana subsequently became increasingly unhappy about the planned marriage. He describes her as feeling that Charles was distant and that she was struggling to understand what her future would look like as a member of the royal family.

The account adds another layer to the well-documented difficulties surrounding Charles and Diana's marriage, which eventually ended in divorce in 1996.

Charles Allegedly Told Diana He Was Not in Love

One of the most striking claims in Swan Song concerns a conversation Spencer says occurred shortly before the wedding.

According to excerpts, Charles told Diana on the eve of their wedding that he was happy to marry her but was not in love with her. Spencer writes that Diana intended to marry for love and believed Charles was entering the marriage with his heart elsewhere.

Diana nevertheless walked down the aisle the following day.

Spencer recalls seeing his sister sitting quietly in front of a mirror in her wedding dress on the morning of the ceremony. Diana later described the wedding day in deeply negative terms, famously referring to it as the "worst day of my life."

Marriage Became Difficult for Princess Diana

Spencer's memoir also describes problems that developed early in the marriage.

He writes that Diana felt Charles was sometimes too busy for her and could be critical of her. According to Spencer, she believed Charles expected her to be more mature than her age and personality allowed.

The marriage became sufficiently difficult that temporary separation was reportedly discussed. Spencer also describes attempts to improve the relationship through sessions in which Charles and Diana were asked to identify areas where each could compromise.

Their marriage ultimately deteriorated further. The couple separated in 1992 before divorcing four years later.

What Is Swan Song: Diana, My Sister?

Swan Song: Diana, My Sister is Charles Spencer's memoir about his younger sister and their family life. Penguin Random House describes it as an account of Diana's life and the week of her death, told from the perspective of her brother. The 384-page book is scheduled for release in the United States on Sept. 22.

Swan Song — Penguin Random House

Spencer has said he wrote the book partly to address what he considers inaccuracies surrounding his sister's life and death. He describes the memoir as a personal tribute to Diana.

The book covers their childhood, Diana's marriage to Charles, her life as Princess of Wales and the circumstances surrounding her death in Paris on Aug. 31, 1997.

Buckingham Palace Responds

The revelations have also prompted a response from Buckingham Palace.

The palace has not directly endorsed Spencer's recollections and issued a rare statement concerning claims in the book. The statement said King Charles III is mindful that grief can affect memory and judgment many years after a loss.

Spencer has stood by his recollections.

The disagreement illustrates the continuing sensitivity surrounding Diana's life, her marriage and the relationship between her family and the royal family nearly three decades after her death.

Princess Diana Left an Enduring Legacy

Diana remains one of the most recognizable members of the modern British royal family. Her charitable work, public appearances and relationship with the media helped transform the public image of the monarchy.

Her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, have continued to discuss aspects of their mother's life and legacy over the years.

The release of Swan Song comes as interest in Diana remains strong and as the 30th anniversary of her death approaches in 2027. The book's revelations are likely to renew discussion about her marriage, her relationship with the royal family and the private experiences behind one of the most closely watched royal weddings of the 20th century.

USA Herald Coverage by Jackie Allen

The USA Herald has also published Jackie Allen's reporting on the British royal family and related subjects.

Allen wrote about Prince Harry and royal-family disputes in “Prince Harry Denies Explosive Claims in New Book ‘Entitled, The Rise and Fall of the House of York.’”.

Her reporting has also included the article “Diana of Versailles Statue Rediscovered in Recent Titanic Expedition,”, which concerns the historic Diana statue discovered during a Titanic expedition.

Additional USA Herald reporting by Allen includes “Science Fiction and Science Fact: The Intersection of AI and Storytelling,” covering developments at the intersection of technology and culture.

The new revelations in Swan Song add another perspective to the complicated history of Diana and Charles, while also bringing renewed attention to the memories of those who knew the late princess personally.

Additional Information:

• Penguin Random House — Swan Song: Diana, My Sister
• Penguin UK — Swan Song
• Google Books — Swan Song: Diana, My Sister
• Apple Books — Swan Song
• The Guardian — Charles Spencer's Diana memoir