Princess Diana’s death at the age of 36 in 1997 remains a huge tragedy to this day. While thousands around the world mourned for their princess, Charles Spencer was mourning his sister.
Today (May 15), almost 28 years later, Charles has revealed what it was truly like when she died. He also revealed how, in the months and weeks prior, he had become a very protective brother.
Charles Spencer speaks about Princess Diana death
Charles, 59, appeared on the British show, Loose Men, on ITV on Thursday, and found himself opening up on the devastating loss.
He told his fellow co-hosts: “It’s such an amputation. You grow up with these people. They are your flesh and blood. They’re with you forever. And then they are gone.
“You expect obviously, first grandparents and then parents to go. And there is an awful tragedy of children going. But siblings, it’s a really extraordinary thing.”
Explaining how he coped after Princess Diana died, Charles admitted the news wouldn’t fully sink in. He heartbreakingly said he kept going to call her.
Charles said: “For years after Diana died, I would think ‘Oh, I must ring her and tell her something.’ We shared the same sense of humour. And then you realise, of course, that’s not going to happen.”
For Charles, he found it particularly tough compared to his other siblings because he and Diana were so close in age. Due to their three-year age gap it meant they were always close growing up, and relied on each other through the years.
Charles’ other sisters are Lady Sarah McCorquodale, 70, and Lady Jane Fellowes, 68.
Charles was ‘protective’ of his sister Diana
Charles continued: “I have two sisters who I adore, but they are quite a lot older than me. So I don’t really share my childhood with anyone anymore. That’s the greatest loss that you can never really put right.”
Before Diana died, there was a lot of heavy media attention on her due to her and King Charles (then prince) splitting up.
The attention didn’t only affect Diana’s life, but also that of those around her. Charles confessed when he saw some news reports, he couldn’t help but get protective. And he even once took measures to stop them.
He said: “I remember just before she died, a female journalist wrote a really horrendous article. By that stage I don’t think that journalist was thinking of Diana as a person. She was something to make money off or whatever. And so I wrote to her in outrage.
“I think particularly as a brother of a sister, you always feel like you want to get stuck in really.”
