Charles Spencer opened up about the grief he still experiences nearly 28 years after the death of his sister, Princess Diana.
The 60-year-old 9th Earl Spencer appeared on ITV's Loose Men on May 15, a special edition of Loose Women marking Mental Health Awareness Week.
During the panel discussion focused on sibling grief, Spencer spoke candidly about the emotional toll of Diana's death and the deep bond they shared growing up.
Spencer described the loss of a sibling as "an amputation" during the emotional discussion.
Earl Spencer opens up on grieving Princess Diana and calls her death an 'amputation'.
Getty
"You grow up with these people, they are your flesh and blood, they're with you forever, and then they're gone," he explained to the panel.
Spencer characterised sibling loss as "a really extraordinary thing" because of the unique role siblings play in one's life.
Princess Diana died at age 36 in August 1997 following a car crash in Paris whilst being pursued by paparazzi.
Reflecting on their close relationship, Spencer shared how Diana's absence continues to affect him years after her passing.
Princess Diana died at age 36 in August 1997 following a car crash in Paris whilst being pursued by paparazzi.
Getty
"For years after Diana died, I would think, 'I must ring her and tell her something,' because we shared the same sense of humour and you just realise, of course, that's not going to happen," he revealed during the programme.
The siblings' shared sense of humour created a special bond between them, with Spencer still instinctively wanting to share moments with his sister nearly three decades after her death.
Spencer also spoke about how Diana's death meant losing a connection to his childhood memories.
"As your family naturally folds in on itself, you lose your parents... I don't share my childhood with anyone anymore, and that's a great loss you can never really put right," Charles said.
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Spencer also revealed his protective instincts towards Diana, particularly regarding media intrusion.
Getty
Spencer also revealed his protective instincts towards Diana, particularly regarding media intrusion.
"I remember just before she died, a female journalist wrote a really horrendous article, because by that stage I don't think that journalist was thinking of Diana as a person, she was something to make money out of," he disclosed.
Spencer admitted to writing "an outraged letter" to the journalist in response.
"I think particularly as a brother of a sister, you always want to get stuck in, really," he added, noting he had felt compelled to personally address "the photographers who were plaguing her."
