Broadcaster Piers Morgan released legal correspondence on September 30, 2026, demanding that publisher Penguin withdraw Earl Spencer’s new memoir, Swan Song, from sale. The legal action follows claims made in the book about Princess Diana that Morgan describes as defamatory and factually incorrect.
- The Core Dispute Over the Memoir
- Legal Demands and Compensation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- When did Piers Morgan release the legal correspondence?
- Which book by Earl Spencer is at the center of the dispute?
- What factual error did the memoir contain about Piers Morgan?
- How has Earl Spencer responded to the error?
- What remedies is Piers Morgan demanding through his lawyers?
The release of the legal documents comes after Earl Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, denied during a United States interview that Morgan was pursuing legal action over the book, which was released on September 22. In response to this denial, Morgan published the formal letters exchanged between his legal representatives and the publisher.
The Core Dispute Over the Memoir
The dispute involves a passage in the 400-page memoir that falsely asserts Morgan edited the Daily Mirror in 1993. The book claims the paper published intrusive, secretly taken photographs of Princess Diana exercising at an LA Fitness gym in London under his watch. Historical records show Morgan worked at The Sun at that time. He did not become editor of the Daily Mirror until 1995, following a period editing the News of the World.
Earl Spencer has issued a public apology acknowledging the chronological error, stating that accuracy matters to him as a historian. Publisher Penguin noted the mistake will be corrected in future editions. However, Morgan’s legal team has demanded more substantial remediation.
Legal Demands and Compensation
According to the correspondence shared on social media by Morgan, his lawyers called for Swan Song to be withdrawn from sale entirely and for remaining copies to be pulped. The broadcaster is also seeking financial damages, which he requested be paid directly to The King’s Trust.
The legal letters challenge Spencer’s recollection of a conversation regarding Princess Diana’s funeral after her tragic death in Paris in August 1997. In the book, Spencer claims he was “flabbergasted” to discover newspaper editors had been invited to the funeral and that he subsequently uninvited them. Spencer alleges Morgan “snarled with annoyance before he hung up” when informed of the decision.
Morgan strongly rejected that characterization of the phone call, maintaining he was neither surly nor annoyed during the exchange. This public feud highlights ongoing tensions surrounding media coverage, historical recollections, and the enduring legacy of Princess Diana nearly three decades after her passing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Piers Morgan release the legal correspondence?
Piers Morgan released the legal correspondence on September 30, 2026, via social media.
Which book by Earl Spencer is at the center of the dispute?
The dispute centers around Earl Spencer’s memoir titled Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, which was published on September 22, 2026.
What factual error did the memoir contain about Piers Morgan?
The memoir incorrectly claimed that Morgan edited the Daily Mirror in 1993 when it published secret gym photographs of Princess Diana. In fact, Morgan did not become editor of the Mirror until 1995 and was working at The Sun in 1993.
How has Earl Spencer responded to the error?
Earl Spencer issued a public apology acknowledging that his historical assumption was incorrect, and publisher Penguin stated the error would be fixed in future print runs.
What remedies is Piers Morgan demanding through his lawyers?
Morgan’s legal team has demanded that Swan Song be withdrawn from sale, remaining copies be pulped, and damages be paid to The King’s Trust.
