Earl Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, has opened up about the deeply personal and painful experience of losing her.

Diana’s tragic death at just 36 years old in 1997 remains one of the most heartbreaking moments in modern history. While millions across the globe grieved for the “People’s Princess,” Charles Spencer was grieving his beloved sister.

Now, nearly 28 years later, Charles has shared how her passing truly affected him—and how, in the lead-up to her death, he had taken on the role of a fiercely protective brother.

Charles Spencer reflects on Diana’s death

Appearing on ITV’s Loose Men on Thursday, 59-year-old Charles opened up during an emotional conversation about loss and family.

“It’s such an amputation,” he said. “You grow up with these people. They are your flesh and blood. They’re with you forever. And then they are gone.

“You expect obviously, first grandparents and then parents to go. And there is an awful tragedy of children going. But siblings, it’s a really extraordinary thing.”

He spoke candidly about how difficult it was to accept her death, revealing that the reality of it took a long time to truly settle in.

“For years after Diana died, I would think ‘Oh, I must ring her and tell her something.’ We shared the same sense of humour. And then you realise, of course, that’s not going to happen.”