EXCLUSIVE Charles Spencer Reveals the Tensions Before William and Harry's Funeral Walk Behind Diana's Casket

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Why it worked

The video works because it taps into a universally understood emotion: the desire to protect children from grief and public scrutiny during a traumatic event. By sharing personal reflections and regrets, the creator makes a historical moment relatable and emotionally resonant.

Summary

Charles Spencer reflects on the difficult decision for his nephews, William and Harry, to walk behind Princess Diana's coffin during her funeral. He reveals that he was advised against walking with the public and that there was a plan for him and Prince Charles to drive, which he regrets not accepting to spare the young princes the ordeal.

Structure

1Spencer discusses the pressure and advice surrounding Diana's funeral procession.
2He reveals a plan for him and Prince Charles to drive, which he wished had been accepted.
3He reflects on the emotional toll of the walk on young William and Harry.
4Spencer shares a personal moment comforting Harry during the procession.
5He notes Harry's desire to finish the walk quickly, which he finds heartbreaking.

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Watch the full sit-down on the #PeopleApp.

On-screen text

EXCLUSIVE Charles Spencer Reveals the Tensions Before William and Harry's Funeral Walk Behind Diana's Casket What became clear was that Prince Charles, as he was then, was determined to walk behind Diana's coffin. I still don't understand it to this day. He was an ex-husband. It just seems entirely inappropriate. And then I learned that people advising him were saying, "Well, you can't do that because the public will shout things out against you as you walk." And then there was the thought that maybe if William and Harry walk beside him, then of course, nobody was going to shout insults. And then it all grew into this weird thing. I mean, at one point there was a plan not put to me, actually, that maybe Prince Charles and I could be driven together in a car to Westminster Abbey that day. I have to say, if that had been put to me, I'd have said, "Yes, please." Because that would have spared William and Harry from having to walk. I didn't particularly want to get in the car with Prince Charles, but it would have saved them from that. There was an awful lot of less than straight talk going on at the time. So I was told that they had decided that they wanted to walk behind their mother's coffin, William and Harry. And so I remember saying, "Well, as long as they haven't been dragooned into it." I made a note because I write a lot as I — I take lots of notes. And those are the exact words I said. And I don't know. I mean, obviously they shouldn't have walked. I mean, nobody now can possibly think that was the right thing to do. And I just remember this tiny, Harry was so small, and this tiny dot of a boy walking in public behind his mother's coffin, it's monstrous. I mean, it was awful at the time. There was so little I could do. And I remember there was one bit where I thought, right, thank, you know, we were halfway through or something through this terrible long walk. And we went on to one of those magnificent arches in London. And I gave Harry a hug and I said, "You're doing so well." I was going to try and watch the funeral. I couldn't, actually, but I watched bits of it. And what I noticed with the procession, which I don't think I noticed at the time was how far ahead Harry is often walking because I think he just wanted to get it over with, so he's just going as quick as he could, which breaks my heart now. You know, it just shouldn't have happened and that's that. And I feel a bit guilty in a way. But I was told they wanted to and you believe people. That's the trouble.

Original caption

#CharlesSpencer is opening up about the difficult moments surrounding #PrincessDiana’s funeral, reflecting on the experience years later in his upcoming memoir, 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.' He shares his perspective on what that day meant for #PrinceWilliam and #PrinceHarry, and the memories that have stayed with him, in an exclusive PEOPLE interview. Watch the full sit-down on the #PeopleApp.

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Transcript

What became clear was that Prince Charles, as he was then, was determined to walk behind Diana's coffin. I still don't understand it to this day. He was an ex-husband. It just seems entirely inappropriate. And then I learned that people advising him were saying, "Well, you can't do that because the public will shout things out against you as you walk." And then there was the thought that maybe if William and Harry walk beside him, then of course, nobody was going to shout insults. And then it all grew into this weird thing. I mean, at one point there was a plan not put to me, actually, that maybe Prince Charles and I could be driven together in a car to Westminster Abbey that day. I have to say, if that had been put to me, I'd have said, "Yes, please." Because that would have spared William and Harry from having to walk. I didn't particularly want to get in the car with Prince Charles, but it would have saved them from that. There was an awful lot of less than straight talk going on at the time. So I was told that they had decided that they wanted to walk behind their mother's coffin, William and Harry. And so I remember saying, "Well, as long as they haven't been dragooned into it." I made a note because I write a lot as I — I take lots of notes. And those are the exact words I said. And I don't know. I mean, obviously they shouldn't have walked. I mean, nobody now can possibly think that was the right thing to do. And I just remember this tiny, Harry was so small, and this tiny dot of a boy walking in public behind his mother's coffin, it's monstrous. I mean, it was awful at the time. There was so little I could do. And I remember there was one bit where I thought, right, thank, you know, we were halfway through or something through this terrible long walk. And we went on to one of those magnificent arches in London. And I gave Harry a hug and I said, "You're doing so well." I was going to try and watch the funeral. I couldn't, actually, but I watched bits of it. And what I noticed with the procession, which I don't think I noticed at the time was how far ahead Harry is often walking because I think he just wanted to get it over with, so he's just going as quick as he could, which breaks my heart now. You know, it just shouldn't have happened and that's that. And I feel a bit guilty in a way. But I was told they wanted to and you believe people. That's the trouble.