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Charles Spencer smiles to camera as he wears blue suit

Charles Spencer gushes about sister Princess Diana ahead of Coronation

Charles Spencer speaks from the heart about his late sister Princess Diana ahead of Coronation

Lily Waddell
Premium Content Editor
May 5, 2023
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Charles Spencer has spoken from the heart about his late sister Princess Diana ahead of the coronation this weekend. As King Charles prepares to be crowned alongside Queen Consort Camilla, the 9th Earl Spencer's thoughts turned to his late sister and the magical impact she had on the people who met her.

The proud younger brother of Diana opened up about his sister to Dame Twiggy on her podcast Tea With Twiggy which was shared with listeners on Friday, on the eve of the coronation. "They loved her," he said. Wearing his heart on his sleeve, he got candid while sharing his enthusiasm for Diana's "brilliant sense of humour" and "genius for people".

Prince Charles looks smart in suit as he joins Princess Diana who is wearing aqua blue© Getty
Princess Diana was known as the People's Princess because of her charm
Diana, Princess of Wales during a visit to St Albans Cathedral in St Albans, Hertfordshire© Getty
Charles remembers his sister Princess Diana's brilliant sense of humour

Looking back, Charles remembered a special time when people were mesmerised by his sister. In that special moment, he recognised how her charm was the equivalent to the magic of Father Christmas. He shared: "She had such a brilliant sense of humour. That’s the thing. That was the real thing. The royal family before Diana were doing a solid job of responsibility and duty but I remember once going with Diana to a concert for one of her charities. It was a classical concert. It was a lovely event. Afterwards she went on stage after the public had left to talk to the orchestra and they loved her. Eighty people were clustered around and it was rather like children meeting Father Christmas. The look in their eyes. She was so at ease with them and put them at ease. She had a genius for people."

Princess Diana's memorial at Althorp Estate
Princess Diana's memorial at Althorp Estate

The heartwarming conversation came about as Twiggy recalled the time she met Princess Diana. Kindly, Charles said he was sure his sister would have been equally happy to have met her at the time because Twiggy was a huge star. He said: "Because you were so famous when you were so young, when Diana and I were growing up, there was so much about you in the news so she would have been genuinely thrilled to have met you." Putting the emphasis on his words, he added: "That's true."

Princess Diana always put her family first, here pictured with her husband and sons© Getty
Princess Diana always put her family first, here pictured with her husband and sons
King Charles III in full military dress© Getty Images
King Charles III will be crowned on 6 May 2023

Elsewhere in the podcast, Charles was also touched when Twiggy complimented him on his "moving" memorial for his sister at his ancestral home Althorp, in West Northamptonshire. "You are very kind," he told her. Often Charles delights his legion of loyal fans with photographs of Althorp, Diana’s childhood home, on Instagram.The author was the latest guest to speak openly on Tea With Twiggy, an intimate weekly podcast chat. Previous guests include Joanna Lumley, Lynda La Plante, Elaine Paige, Christopher Biggins, Myleene Klass and more. Admittedly, Charles said he felt so relaxed in conversation with Twiggy that he has revealed things he hasn’t told others before. He went on: "I've said things on this podcast that I've never said before." Elsewhere on the podcast, Charles also spoke at length about the history of his family and his home.

King Charles takes the throne at the Queen's funeral© Getty
His ceremony will be significantly shorter than his predecessors

His moving interview was released ahead of King Charles' coronation. His ceremony will be shorter than that of his predecessors, for instance the coronation of Queen Victoria took over five hours.

Princess Diana's beautiful memorial on the Althorp Estate© Getty
Charles' thoughts turned to his sister while preparations for the Coronation are underway
Charles Spencer© Getty
Charles shared his pride of his sister and her genius for people

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