Earl Charles Spencer has offered a candid assessment of Hollywood’s depictions of his late sister, Princess Diana. He singled out Kristen Stewart for particular praise while delivering a blunt verdict on the film itself.
During a public conversation with award-winning journalist Tina Brown at St. Peter’s Chelsea in New York City, the 9th earl shared his thoughts on cinematic portrayals of Diana. The discussion coincided with promotional events for his memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.
What Charles Spencer Said About Kristen Stewart in Spencer
When an audience member asked whether any fictional performance had ever successfully captured what Princess Diana was like in real life, Charles Spencer pointed directly to Stewart’s work in director Pablo Larraín’s 2021 psychological drama.
Recalling how he first encountered the film, Spencer explained, “I was on a plane, and I saw a movie called Spencer. I thought I’d better look at that. And there was Kristen Stewart, who doesn’t really look like Diana, but my goodness, she caught the spirit. I thought it was an incredible performance.”
Despite his effusive praise for the lead actor’s ability to embody his sister’s essence, Spencer did not extend the same courtesy to the production as a whole, bluntly noting, “The film’s terrible.”
Kristen Stewart’s deeply internalized performance earned her widespread critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The film tracks a fictionalized, highly surreal Christmas weekend with the British royal family at Sandringham House as Diana decides to end her marriage to then-Prince Charles.
Silence on Netflix’s The Crown
During the same Q&A session, the conversation turned toward other notable onscreen adaptations of Diana’s life, specifically Netflix’s hit series The Crown. The biographical drama featured Emma Corrin as a young Diana in Season 4, followed by Elizabeth Debicki taking over the role for the final two seasons.
Addressing the series, Spencer clarified that he has actively chosen not to watch the program. However, he acknowledged the heavy praise and numerous accolades bestowed upon the actresses who took on the challenging royal role. “I know that the person who acted that part has received lots of awards, so I’m sure she did a good job. I’ve not seen it,” he stated.
Memoir Focuses on Family History
Charles Spencer’s commentary on popular culture’s treatment of his sister arrives as he continues his literary work documenting their shared upbringing and family heritage. His book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, provides a personal perspective on Diana’s life before and during her entry into the global spotlight, contrasting sharply with the speculative nature of various film and television interpretations.
