Charles Spencer’s memoir about Princess Diana sells 102,668 copies in its opening week, topping the UK nonfiction charts.
Charles Spencer’s memoir about his late sister, Princess Diana, has become the fastest-selling hardback nonfiction title in the UK so far in 2026, selling more than 100,000 copies during its first week.
Titled “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,” the 384-page memoir sold 102,668 copies in its opening week, according to the figures cited for the book’s release. The strong debut placed the title at the top of the UK nonfiction charts and among the year’s biggest-selling books across all genres.
Written from Spencer’s personal perspective, the memoir recounts his relationship with Diana and his memories of her life. It explores her family relationships, experiences within the British royal family and events that shaped her public and private life.
The book has attracted particular attention because of claims concerning Diana’s former husband, King Charles III. Several extracts were published before the full release, prompting renewed discussion about Diana, her brother and the former royal couple’s relationship.
One of the most controversial passages concerns an alleged conversation between Spencer and Charles following Diana’s death in a Paris car crash in August 1997.
According to Spencer’s account, Charles allegedly told him during a phone call, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.” Spencer also described Charles as appearing extremely cheerful while discussing Diana’s death, comparing his mood to that of someone who had unexpectedly won a lottery.
The claims have generated significant attention because of their personal nature and the decades that have passed since Diana’s death. Charles later issued a rare response disputing Spencer’s description of the conversation.
Despite the controversy surrounding some of its revelations, interest in the memoir has remained strong. The opening-week sales underline the continuing public fascination with Diana, whose life and legacy have remained the subject of books, documentaries and interviews nearly three decades after her death.
The memoir was released by Penguin in several English-speaking countries and is being translated into 12 languages. It offers readers a perspective distinct from accounts written by royal biographers and journalists because Spencer recounts his memories as Diana’s younger brother.
For Spencer, the book provides an opportunity to reflect on their childhood, family relationship and the events that shaped Diana’s life and public legacy.
Its strong debut makes “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister” one of the most prominent publishing stories of 2026 and demonstrates the continuing international interest in Princess Diana and the history surrounding the British royal family.
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