Princess Diana's Brother Charles Spencer Praises Kristen Stewart's Portrayal in 'Spencer' Despite Film's Overall Reception

During a recent event, Charles Spencer, Princess Diana's younger brother, shared his thoughts on the film "Spencer." While he found the movie itself to be "terrible," he was deeply impressed by Kristen Stewart's portrayal of his sister, noting her remarkable ability to embody Diana's spirit on screen. These remarks emerged as Spencer promoted his new memoir, "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister," which has garnered significant attention and stirred discussions regarding the royal family.

Princess Diana's Brother Lauds Kristen Stewart's Captivating Performance in "Spencer," Calls Film "Terrible"

On October 8, 2026, Charles Spencer, the younger brother of the late Princess Diana, offered a candid assessment of the biographical film "Spencer" at a McNally Jackson Books Event. Spencer revealed that he watched the movie during a flight and, despite his overall negative opinion of the film's quality, was profoundly moved by Kristen Stewart's performance. He stated that Stewart, while not physically identical to Diana, managed to perfectly capture her spirit and essence. The film, released in 2021, centers on a critical Christmas holiday weekend where Diana makes the pivotal decision to end her marriage to Prince Charles. It also delves into her personal struggles with mental health and bulimia, subjects that earned Stewart an Oscar nomination for best actress. Stewart herself previously expressed her dedication to understanding and embodying Diana, likening the process to portraying a close friend. In the same interview, Spencer also admitted he has not watched Netflix's popular series "The Crown," which features Emma Corrin and Elizabeth Debicki as Diana in different seasons, though he acknowledged the accolades received by the actresses for their performances.

The critical divergence between the film's overall reception and an individual performance highlights the complexity of biographical storytelling. Spencer's perspective offers a unique, intimate lens through which to view artistic interpretations of historical figures. It underscores that while factual accuracy or narrative construction might fall short, an actor's ability to capture the intrinsic spirit of a character can still resonate deeply, even with those closest to the real person.