Earl Spencer's new book claims the 1983 tour of Australia and New Zealand marked a turning point in the marriage of Charles and Diana, as the then-prince was resentful of his wife's popularity.
In Swan Song: My Sister, Diana, Spencer alleges Charles was "extremely jealous of Diana's star power", as royal fans had a fondness for her.
"While most husbands would have been delighted and proud to have such an asset for him and his royal brand, the [then] prince was extremely jealous of Diana's star power," Spencer wrote.
When the royal couple visited Australia and New Zealand together for the first time, "Diana's huge popularity with the Australian crowd had riled her husband".
The contrast in popularity was even dramatised in an episode of The Crown, where Josh O'Connor – as Charles – shouts: "This was supposed to be my tour!".
Although a fictional depiction, the scene exaggerates the real tensions between the royal couple, that seemingly stemmed from a wedge that had been driven between the couple during their 1983 visit.
The 40-day tour took place in an already tense time, clashing with a growing republican movement across Australia, as well as calls for the nation to leave the Commonwealth.
There were also concerns about Diana taking baby Prince William with her on the tour, as she did not want to be separated.
The claims are among several made by Spencer in the book. He also alleges that after Diana's death, the then-Prince Charles told him in an argument "we'll forget her soon enough".
Buckingham Palace rejected the claims with a statement accusing Spencer of "grief clouded reasoning".
"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 judgement and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss," the statement read.
Spencer also criticised the royals for a "lack of obvious care" for Harry after his mother's passing.
"He needed Diana’s hugs, of course, and they would forever be denied him," he wrote. "But instead of calm and nurture, he was allowed to spin out of control."
Then in a BBC interview, he claimed the media's treatment of Harry and Meghan Markle mirrored that of Diana's.
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