Earl Spencer: Diana may have had undiagnosed ADHD

Earl Charles Spencer has stated that his sister, Princess Diana, may have lived with undiagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He believes that symptoms she displayed, such as emotional sensitivity and challenges in relationships, could be explained by the condition.

Spencer, who was diagnosed with severe ADHD later in life, told People magazine that he recognised similar traits in his sister. He expressed frustration with alternative theories about Diana's emotional responses, stating, "I know it's not those, by the way, but these people throw out these theories. I think it's more humdrum in a way. I think it was ADHD, and rejection for people with ADHD goes very, very deep."

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The Earl also suggested that Princess Diana may have had dyslexia, noting her struggles with spelling and word order. He commented on the educational environment of the time, saying, "Diana was born in 1961, and certainly the private school system in England was not tuned into children's needs as they are today. I think Diana suffered from dyslexia. She found spelling and word orders and letter orders quite tricky."

These assertions are detailed in Earl Spencer's new book, 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,' which recounts personal memories of their relationship. He links Diana's tendency to abruptly cease contact with individuals to her undiagnosed ADHD. He described this behaviour not as a criticism, but as a recognition of her struggle with an unrecognised condition.

Spencer elaborated on Diana's sensitivity to rejection, stating, "People said, 'Oh, she was paranoid.' No, she wasn't. She was sensitive to rejection, and she felt very let down by people. And because of her ADHD, because of her personality and her character, she felt these things very deeply."

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He also reflected on the impact of Diana's public life, noting the immense energy she gave to the public. Earl Spencer observed that many people seemed unaware of the extent of what they were taking from her, which he felt was draining for the Princess.