Earl Spencer, the brother of Princess Diana, has accused King Charles of "gaslighting" him amid a dispute over claims in his new book, according to NBC News. The allegation was reported on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
In a separate account carried by Dawn Images, Earl Spencer said Charles "went ballistic" during a phone call after Diana's death. The BBC reported that the earl's book about his sister has revived tensions the royal family would prefer to leave in the past.
CNN published a profile of Earl Spencer, describing him as the central figure in the latest royal controversy. According to Page Six, sources say Prince Harry was aware of the revelations contained in the book before it was published.
The reporting centers on Earl Spencer's memoir and the reaction it has drawn from the King. NBC News characterizes the exchange as a dispute over the book's claims, with the earl using the term "gaslighting" to describe Charles's response.
The story has drawn coverage from multiple outlets, each focusing on different elements: the earl's public statements, the royal family's discomfort, and Harry's reported prior knowledge of the book's contents.
It is not clear from the available reporting what specific claims in the book prompted the dispute, or whether Buckingham Palace has issued a formal response.
What to watch next: whether the palace comments publicly on the earl's accusations, and whether further details from the book emerge.