When my copy of Swan Song: Diana, My Sister was hand-delivered to me on Monday night, I already had a plan: Elizabeth Holmes, royal expert and author of HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style, and I were set to speed-read our individual copies—in Elizabeth’s case, she listened to the audiobook, too—then meet (virtually) to review. (We’re hoping to have more of these royal conversations going forward—stay tuned!)
I’ll admit, I braced myself as I cracked open Charles Spencer’s royal read. Yes, this is a first-person account from one of the people closest to Princess Diana—her brother. Yes, it certainly garnered headlines in the lead-up to publication (those excerpts about the king acting “giddy” upon her death and telling Spencer over the phone, “we’ll forget her soon enough” were tough to make sense of, let alone validate).
But having read Spencer’s book in full, I can say wholeheartedly: it’s worth your time. And much like Spare, skimming it simply won’t suffice.
Here’s why: Spencer delivers a vivid portrait of Diana’s life before she became, as he describes it, the “heroine of a global fantasy” with his account continuing through her funeral. He does so with the utmost care and openness about the good times and the bad, setting the record straight on several much-discussed moments that played out in the media, where, 30 years later, a salacious headline had largely become fact. (For example, Diana’s parents’ unhappy marriage—per Spencer, there’s quite a bit more to that claim.)
He’s also transparent about the complicated nature of family relationships; the humanity and stressors that would cause anyone—but especially someone like Diana, who was scrutinized and hunted so mercilessly given her global level of fame—to oscillate between the best and worst versions of themselves.
In Diana’s case, as Spencer lays out, the intrusiveness and malice of the tabloid media were ever-present and deeply traumatic. Revisiting what Diana (and her family) experienced via her brother’s own account is staggering. It’s shocking to encounter new context and information that sheds light on the deeply unsettling scope of what William and Harry’s mother endured. (Notably—something Elizabeth and I discuss—Diana’s boys are largely left out of the book.)
More than anything—and, again, similarly to Spare—Swan Song is an important entry into the royal conversation. I’ve also been reminded, since the book’s introduction, that Diana and the various accounts of her life will always be a topic that erases the line between royal watcher and not. This past week, for example, whether I was at my local coffee shop or in conversation with an acquaintance at school pickup, so many people in my orbit—those who hardly ever tune into the royals—wanted to discuss it.
This book, like so many other royal topics, is also polarizing. Sides were taken in defense of either Charles Spencer or King Charles about what actually transpired (this played out in the media, too, as royal author Omid Scobie brings up) and past reputations colored our view of this book before we even had a chance to delve in.
Such is the allure and love for Diana, whose complexity is dutifully honored here. New details are also introduced, such as her battle with ADHD and chronic back pain. (It makes you wonder if there was more to the story about the shorter heels she chose to wear throughout her marriage—this is one area Spencer does not explore.) I was left with an even deeper appreciation of the late Princess of Wales, her legacy and the impact of the royal spotlight, not just on her, but on those closest to her, too.
But that’s just it: time marches on. Aside from fictionalized accounts—for example, with The Crown—distance has largely watered down Diana’s ordeal. So many once-searing memories, especially for those who lived through them, have largely been forgotten. Just look at King Charles and Queen Camilla, who, at the moment, are largely well-liked.
Spencer’s book is a historical account of Diana’s life, organized by the eulogy he wrote upon her death, that brings it all back to the surface with clarity and a (mostly) unemotional, reporter-like perspective. Is there value in resurfacing all of this? After reading, I say yes. Despite a few unflattering portrayals, I walked away with an over-arching reminder that, royal or not, people evolve. We’re the sum of all our parts.
As Spencer, a journalist, historian, and author, told CBS News, when asked why he wrote the book, he said, visibly moved: “I don’t know if it’s important for people to remember [Diana], but they certainly do. So what this book does is fill in the blanks, put a few wrongs to rights, and it’s my contribution to Diana’s legacy to, as her brother, do this for her. It’s literally that. It’s a brother’s duty. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
Have you started reading? What do you think? I hope you’ll tune into my conversation with Elizabeth and share your own opinions about it in the comments below.
The royal headlines I couldn’t wait to click this week…
Another royal movie premiere, another red carpet moment with Tom Cruise. The man is complicated, but I’m fascinated by his relationship with the royals—which was on full display as he was joined by Prince William and Princess Catherine for the London premiere of Digger. (It’s supposed to be good!) It also takes me back to this piece about his supposed London location: A must-read if you haven’t yet.
Prince Harry’s spontaneity in London; his failed teleprompter in NYC. An annual tradition, the Duke of Sussex appeared at the WellChild Awards, where he received a charming (and extended) hug from one of the attendees. From there, he traveled to New York for the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting, to discuss the dangers of technology—where his teleprompter promptly failed.
A glimpse of Meghan Markle’s U.K. life via her bestie. TBH, it seems kind of idyllic? The field of fawns especially!
Kylie Kelce invited Kate Middleton on her podcast. Following William’s appearance on the Kelce brothers’ show, does an appearance by the Princess of Wales feel that far-fetched? (The royals on podcasts—or any radio program—is still one of my favorite things.)
Catherine’s sleek blazer. I loved the look of it with her brown top and trousers. A fall ensemble worth replicating, that’s for sure. (This LOFT style is similar, don’t you think?)
A few non-royal things I’ve been loving lately that are worth a share…
Fall has arrived in Brooklyn. Like always, that seasonal change-over is so welcome. I’ve started reaching once again for a light jacket—this quilted option from Barbour is a fave—but I also co-hosted a backyard craft night for the kiddos in my building to honor the first day of autumn. BYOL (bring your own leaves).
Speaking of which, I saw Practical Magic 2. I don’t care what the reviews say, I loved it. It made me want to call my sister. Also, upgrade my PJs. (I’m still searching for the exact pinstripe style worn by Sandra Bullock in the film just in case anyone has intel!)
Dressing for the Drop-Off has become a major beat for me at PureWow. I recently got to interview cool mom—and Bugaboo CCO—Jeanelle Teves about her functional, yet fashion-forward wardrobe. Check it out.
I also interviewed Jennifer Aniston. Friends or not, she comes across as one of the kindest humans. That show was also my lifeline growing up. Anyone else?
If you need me this weekend, I’ll be cheering on the New York Liberty. Tracking the team, which is now in the WNBA play-offs, has become my love language with Finn. We caught the final game of the regular season together—and on fan appreciation night, too!
