Kate Middleton's recent absence has been a hot topic in the media. Meanwhile, another person related to the British Royalty has been in the headlines with a new memoir.
Last week, Charles Spencer, brother of the late Princess Diana, released his memoir "A Very Private School." It quickly became a bestseller on Amazon.
The memoir tells about how Spencer suffered from cruelty and mistreatment at a boys-only boarding school in the English countryside as a child. Drawing from personal recollections and conversations with friends, Spencer dives into the antiquated boarding system, aiming to provide solace for others who have faced similar experiences.
Spencer attended the school until he was 13 years old before pursuing a career as a historian, podcaster, and bestselling author. He explained that he was motivated to write the book after hearing from numerous former students who shared their painful memories and ongoing trauma.
In the memoir, Spencer reveals his traumatic experiences at Maidwell Hall in Northampton, where he faced verbal and physical abuse from school officials and alleged sexual abuse from a female staff member. Despite being aware of the abuse, Spencer says fear kept students silent, with a prevailing rule being 'Don't tell tales.'
Following years of coping with trauma, Spencer felt an inner urge to unveil his story, providing an honest account of his past while reclaiming his childhood. Nonetheless, the book's writing took a toll on Spencer, leading to a breakdown. Still, he remained determined to complete it, hoping to inspire other abuse victims to come forward. Maidwell Hall apologized to Spencer, acknowledging the harmful practices of the past.
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Besides the school, Spencer also shared revelations about the mistreatment he and his sisters endured from their nannies at home. In an interview with Laura Kuenssberg, the Earl claimed that one of their nannies, identified in his memoir as Nanny Forster, would physically punish him and Princess Diana by cracking their heads together as a form of discipline for misbehavior. He described the experience as more than just a tap on the wrist, recalling the intense pain of the impact.
Spencer also disclosed that another nanny, responsible for caring for his older sisters but not Princess Diana, resorted to using laxatives as a form of punishment. This resulted in his sisters frequently falling ill, perplexing his parents.
The memoir marks Spencer's eighth book, coincidentally hitting shelves amid renewed interest in the Royal Family. Reflecting on speculation about Kate Middleton's whereabouts, Spencer expressed concern for the truth and recalled memories of his late sister, Princess Diana, who tragically passed away in a car crash in 1997.
When asked about the current online conspiracy theories compared with the press intrusion surrounding Princess Diana's death in 1997, Spencer acknowledged that while the circumstances were shocking, the danger was potentially greater back then.
Spencer noted that his sister's death prompted a reassessment within the industry, not necessarily due to moral judgment but because the circumstances were deemed unacceptable.
Published by Gallery Books, the 304-page memoir is available in hardcover and as an audiobook by the author himself.
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