Prince Harry Again Declines Questions About Earl Spencer’s Diana Memoir

Prince Harry was given another opportunity to address his uncle Earl Spencer’s controversial new memoir — but once again chose not to answer.

The Duke of Sussex was attending the 2026 WellChild Awards in London on September 21 when reporters waiting outside the Royal Lancaster Hotel asked whether he had spoken to Charles Spencer in recent days. Harry did not respond verbally, instead briefly waving before entering the venue.

The moment came as Spencer’s memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, continued to generate headlines over its claims about the Royal Family and the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death.

Harry avoids another question about his uncle

Harry’s appearance at the WellChild Awards was his latest public engagement since returning to Britain.

As he arrived at the London hotel, reporters called out questions about his family and his relationship with Spencer. One journalist asked directly: “Have you spoken to your uncle?”

Harry appeared to brush off the question, offering only a wave as he made his way inside.

It was not the first time in recent days that the Duke had avoided commenting on the memoir.

Earlier, as he arrived at an Invictus-related event in London, a reporter had asked Harry how he felt about Spencer’s book. He did not stop to answer and continued into the venue.

The repeated questions come as Spencer’s account has become a major subject of discussion surrounding the Royal Family.

What Earl Spencer claims in the memoir

Spencer’s Swan Song: Diana, My Sister focuses on his memories of his sister Diana, including the period surrounding her death in 1997.

Among the most controversial passages is Spencer’s account of an alleged conversation with Charles, then the Prince of Wales, in the aftermath of Diana’s death.

Spencer claims he objected to Prince William and Prince Harry walking behind their mother’s coffin during the funeral procession. According to his account, the disagreement became tense as the family discussed how the young princes should take part in the procession.

The memoir has prompted an unusually direct response from Buckingham Palace.

A Palace spokesman said that, while the King does not comment on books as a matter of principle, grief can affect memory and judgment, adding that the pain of fraternal grief can influence how events are remembered many years later. Spencer has rejected that characterization and maintained that his account is truthful.

Spencer says Harry knew about the book

Despite Harry’s refusal to discuss the memoir publicly, Spencer has indicated that the Duke was informed about the project before publication.

In an interview with PEOPLE, Spencer said he told Prince William, Prince Harry and his sisters about the book at “exactly the same time.” He said Harry was comfortable with the project, although he had expressed concern about whether it might cause embarrassment. Spencer said he reassured him that it would not.

That disclosure adds another layer to Harry’s decision not to comment publicly when reporters have raised the subject.

For now, however, Harry has kept his focus on his charity work rather than the controversy surrounding his uncle’s memoir.

A more emotional moment inside the awards

Once inside the WellChild Awards, Harry’s attention turned to the children, families and carers being honoured at the annual event.

WellChild confirmed that the ceremony took place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on September 21, celebrating seriously ill children and the people who support them. Harry, who has been the charity’s patron for 18 years, attended the ceremony for the 16th time.

During his speech, Harry became emotional while speaking about the children and their families. ITV reported that he appeared choked up before joking with host Gaby Roslin after she offered him reassurance.

But outside the venue, the focus had been very different.

With Spencer’s memoir continuing to reopen difficult questions about Diana, the Royal Family and Harry’s childhood, the Duke once again made clear through his silence that he was not prepared to discuss his uncle’s claims publicly.

And with Harry reportedly also considering a documentary project connected to Diana’s legacy ahead of the 30th anniversary of her death in 2027, attention on his mother’s story is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.