Charles Spencer was seemingly left stunned by his former brother-in-law on more than one occasion, but one particular exchange exposed the then-Prince Charles's true feelings about succession. Princess Diana's brother claimed that King Charles's comments during the 1992 funeral of the eighth Earl Spencer, who passed away at 68, left him surprised.
Spencer, 27 at the time, shared that he had a peculiar conversation following his father's sudden death. The funeral service was held at a church in Northamptonshire, with Princess Diana in attendance. Recalling the incident, Spencer wrote that he was moved to tears seeing his father's coffin carried by his long-serving staff.
He added that the then-Prince Charles remarked, 'You're so lucky to have inherited so young.' King Charles, who waited over five decades as heir apparent, ascended the throne in 2022 at 73 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
While Buckingham Palace has not issued a fresh statement on the matter, a spokesperson previously noted that the pain of fraternal grief can often cloud reason and affect judgment.