Memoir Defamation Dispute
Piers Morgan Threatens Legal Action Over Claims in Earl Spencer's New Memoir
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Key Points
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Morgan said the disputed gym photographs were published by the Sunday Mirror on Nov. 7, 1993, while he was working as a showbiz columnist for the Mirror’s rival and had not yet joined the Daily Mirror.
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The newspaper group’s legal settlement over the covert gym photographs reportedly totaled £1 million, with a further £200,000 donated to charity.
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Buckingham Palace offered a qualified response rather than simply declining comment, saying that “the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory” many years after a loss.
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Spencer said Charles became furious during a dispute over whether William and Harry should walk in Diana’s funeral procession, criticizing the family’s sense of duty and saying their efforts were inadequate.
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The memoir dispute is unfolding ahead of the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death, while Spencer has also discussed the Martin Bashir scandal and Diana’s relationship with Mohammed Al Fayed in interviews promoting the book.
Piers Morgan is threatening legal action against Earl Spencer over allegations in Spencer's new memoir, Entertainment Daily reported. Spencer claims Morgan was involved in publishing secret photographs of Princess Diana exercising in 1993. Morgan denies this, saying the photos were published by the Sunday Mirror on November 7, 1993, when he was working at a rival newspaper and had not yet joined the Daily Mirror.
The dispute centers on Spencer's book Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, released in September 2026. Spencer also makes controversial claims about King Charles's reaction to Diana's death. Buckingham Palace responded carefully, saying "the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory" but stopped short of directly addressing the allegations.
The Disputed Gym Photographs From 1993
The core dispute involves covert photographs of Princess Diana exercising at LA Fitness in 1993. The Sunday Mirror published these photos on November 7, 1993. Morgan worked as a showbiz columnist at The Sun at that time. He did not join the Daily Mirror until October 1995—nearly two years later.
According to Largs and Millport News, Mirror Group Newspapers paid £1 million in a legal settlement over the photographs, with an additional £200,000 donated to charity. Spencer's memoir claims the group paid £300,000 to the gym owner for the covert photos. Morgan called Spencer's account "demonstrable lies" and said his lawyers would contact Spencer over the accusations.
Spencer's Memoir Makes New Claims About Charles
Spencer's book contains fresh allegations about King Charles's behavior during Diana's funeral arrangements in 1997. According to the memoir, Charles became furious during a dispute over whether William and Harry should walk in the funeral procession. Spencer claims Charles criticized the family's sense of duty.
Buckingham Palace issued a qualified response rather than a flat denial. The palace said His Majesty is "mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others might not recognize." This careful wording avoided directly addressing Spencer's claims about Charles's statements and conduct.
Morgan Questions Spencer's Credibility
Morgan has publicly challenged Spencer's reliability as a narrator. He stated the disputed gym photographs were published before he joined the Daily Mirror, making his alleged involvement impossible. Morgan called Spencer's account "all bullshit and very, very easy bullshit for me to prove."
The legal threat comes as Spencer promotes his memoir ahead of the 30th anniversary of Diana's death in 1997. The book also reopens discussions about the 1995 Martin Bashir BBC interview scandal and Diana's relationship with Mohammed Al Fayed. Morgan's lawyers have reportedly demanded removal of the disputed passages, a formal retraction, and a charity donation.
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