Earl Spencer has taken a knife to old scars as King Charles is plunged into war of words

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The Spencer family has a history when it comes to publishing damaging books about the Royal Family

Almost thirty years after Princess Diana's death saw the public and press temporarily turn on the Royal Family, her brother, Earl Charles Spencer, has taken a knife to the old scars.

Unusually, Buckingham Palace has hit back at Earl Spencer's shocking allegations, suggesting King Charles strongly disputes the version of events being serialised in the Daily Mail ahead of publication next week.

In an extract from Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, Earl Spencer writes: "He [Charles] unleashed down the phone what I have always taken to be his pent-up contempt for Diana, and his horror that the world was so bowled over by her death. 'Rest assured,' he hissed, 'we'll forget her soon enough'."

The argument allegedly was sparked by a disagreement as to whether the young princes William and Harry should march behind their mother's coffin in front of millions.

Unlike Buckingham Palace's response to Prince Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview, where the late Queen famously stated "recollections may vary", it took officials minutes, not hours or days to respond this time around.

Again, this suggests the strength of feeling behind palace walls, with sources suggesting it's simply "not in The King's nature" to say such an insensitive thing, when he himself was grief-stricken.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss."

The Spencer family has a history when it comes to publishing damaging books about the Royal Family.

Princess Diana herself secretly sent audio tapes to Andrew Morton to help him write his bestselling biography Diana, Her True Story.

Then her son, Prince Harry, published the fastest-selling non-fiction book of all time Spare, which contained several damaging allegations.

Remarkably, both Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace maintained a dignified silence in the first two instances.

Now, a third Spencer, Charles, appears to be having his say, and the late Queen's motto of never complain, never explain appears to be well and truly forgotten.

I think it's worth noting that Prince Harry stayed with his uncle at Althorp this summer, with his wife and children.

The Spencer family home is where Diana, Princess of Wales, is buried on an island in the middle of a lake.

I find it impossible to believe the upcoming memoir was not discussed, although a source has insisted Prince Harry has not read the book.

Not reading it, however, is very different to not being aware of its contents.

Therefore, it's quite telling that the Duke of Sussex remains very close to his uncle and the Spencer family.

The Prince of Wales, meanwhile, is travelling to the Isle of Bute to spend time with the community alongside the Princess of Wales.

King Charles is also in Scotland, convening AI leaders for an important meeting to discuss how the technology can be used as a force for good, while protecting the future of humanity from harm.

"Our humanity must remain sacred," His Majesty is expected to tell tech bosses.

Even Prince Harry is expected to be seen in public for the first time since moving back to Britain, attending an inaugural Invictus awards ceremony in London.

All of this work, overshadowed by claims and counterclaims from a sometimes dysfunctional family.

For all the praise King Charles and the working royals receive for wielding their unique soft power to Britain's advantage, what message do these regular spats send to world leaders?

It's not exactly an endorsement of the Royal Family personifying a strong and stable nation.