SHOCK: Earl Spencer dealt huge blow on live TV in bombshell breaking update
Earl Spencer has issued a public apology to Piers Morgan after acknowledging an error in his new memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister on the very day of its publication.
The controversy erupted after Spencer incorrectly linked Morgan to the publication of highly intrusive photographs of Princess Diana taken while she was wearing a leotard at a gym in 1993.
GB News interrupted its Tuesday coverage to report the development, with journalist Emily Carver handing over to royal correspondent Cameron Walker.
Walker explained that Spencer’s memoir referred to the controversial photographs, which were published by the Sunday Mirror in November 1993.
“The Mirror was forced to pay £1million in damages, and £200,000 to Diana’s chosen charities,” he said.
Spencer’s book then appeared to suggest Morgan had been editor of the Daily Mirror at the time.
But Morgan did not join the newspaper until October 1995.
Piers Morgan Threatened Legal Action
Morgan responded forcefully after spotting the error.
Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, he said Spencer and his publishers would be hearing from his lawyers and demanded that what he described as a “complete lie” be removed from the memoir.
Morgan also said he wanted a donation made to The King’s Trust over the alleged damage caused.
His challenge centred on the timeline.
The Diana gym photographs appeared on November 7, 1993, while Morgan was working at The Sun.
He did not become editor of the Daily Mirror until two years later.
That discrepancy prompted Spencer to issue a formal clarification through a spokesperson.
Spencer Stands by Funeral Call Account
While apologising for the factual error surrounding Morgan’s employment, Spencer did not withdraw his account of a separate conversation with the broadcaster.
His spokesperson said: “Earl Spencer’s account of his conversation with Piers Morgan is accurate. Mr Morgan was surly and annoyed when Earl Spencer called personally to tell him that he was not welcome at his sister’s funeral.”
The statement then addressed the disputed section of the memoir.
“The book then records Earl Spencer’s assumption that Mr Morgan’s response was because he was editor of the Daily Mirror when the Mirror Group had published highly intrusive photographs of Princess Diana at the gym.”
The spokesperson acknowledged Morgan’s correction.
“The photographs were published by the Sunday Mirror on 7 November 1993. Mr Morgan has pointed out that he did not join the Daily Mirror until October 1995.”
‘Accuracy Is Important’
Spencer’s statement went on to explain why he was publicly correcting the record.
“As an historian, accuracy is important to Earl Spencer,” the apology said.
“He therefore wishes to clarify that his assumption was incorrect.”
It concluded: “Earl Spencer apologises to Mr Morgan for this error.”
The clarification therefore accepts that Spencer wrongly connected Morgan to the 1993 photographs, while maintaining that his recollection of Morgan’s alleged reaction to being uninvited from Diana’s funeral remains accurate.
Awkward Timing for Swan Song Release
Walker noted that the timing could hardly have been more uncomfortable for Spencer.
Swan Song: Diana, My Sister was officially published on September 22, the same day the error was publicly acknowledged.
Walker suggested Spencer may hope the apology brings the dispute to an end, but said it was “tricky” for such an inaccuracy to emerge immediately after publication.
The error has become particularly significant because the memoir contains a number of controversial claims involving King Charles and the period surrounding Diana’s death.
Morgan has already questioned whether the mistake should cast doubt on other parts of Spencer’s account.
For now, Spencer has conceded one key point: his assumption about Morgan’s connection to the 1993 gym photographs was wrong.
But the wider disagreement may not be over, with Morgan having already said he intends to continue pursuing legal action against Spencer and publisher Penguin.
