The prospect of fresh revelations about Princess Diana’s childhood and schooldays is already generating considerable interest ahead of the publication on 22 September of a new book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, written by her brother Earl Spencer.
Described as the first time Charles Spencer has spoken openly and at length about Diana, the 384-page book promises a deeply personal account of the Princess’s life – from their childhood together at Althorp to her marriage, motherhood, royal life and the final tragic days of August 1997.
Earl Spencer says he was prompted to write it after being ‘inundated’ with requests for interviews about his sister as the 30th anniversary of her death on 31 August 1997 approaches. One of his aims is to challenge what he regards as ‘untruths that have become accepted over time’ and tell Diana’s story from the perspective of the brother who knew her best.
We will bring you more details of whether West Heath gets mentioned in this latest book once it is available, but the publisher’s description appears to indicate that Earl Spencer intends to write about Diana’s childhood, including her experiences at boarding school.
Diana and Charles became particularly close during their years growing up together at Althorp, when they had to deal with the trauma of their parents’ divorce.
Diana and her older sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, were all boarders at West Heath in Sevenoaks. Diana joined the school in 1973, having previously been at Riddlesworth Hall in Norfolk. She became a popular and memorable member of the West Heath community, developing interests in music, dancing and sport as well as forming friendships that lasted beyond her schooldays.
The publishers have already hinted that the book contains ‘many revelations’, although precisely what those revelations are will not be known until the book is launched. For those who knew Diana as a schoolgirl rather than as the Princess of Wales, Swan Song may provide some memorable glimpses into her time at West Heath.
