Inside 'hell breaking' chaos after Princess Diana confronted Camilla over affair
The night Princess Diana decided to confront Camilla about her affair with Charles, she described it as "all hell broke loose."
Princess Diana referred to this confrontation as "one of the bravest moments" in her marriage to Prince Charles , which ended in 1992 and led to their divorce in 1996. During this uncomfortable face-to-face encounter with Camilla Parker Bowles , Diana claimed that Charles fled like "a headless chicken." This eventful night took place at the 40th birthday party of Camilla's sister, Annabel Elliot, in 1989 at Lady Annabel Goldsmith's London home.
"I walk into the house and stick my hand out to Camilla for the first time, and think 'phew got over that,'" Diana revealed in secret recordings made by a friend at Kensington Palace in 1991.
READ MORE: Kate Middleton had the perfect response when told she's lucky to have Prince William
READ MORE: Little Mix star leads anti JK Rowling chant at festival amid backlash against author
Despite no one expecting her to attend the "ghastly" event, Diana, who was 20 when she married a 32 year old Charles, had decided earlier that day that she would go.
"He [Charles] needled me the whole way down to Ham Common, trying to bait me," Diana recalled. "'Why are you coming tonight?' Needle, needle, needle the whole way down. I didn't bite, but I was very, very on edge."
Diana also decided that she would not greet Camilla with the usual kiss hello, but instead with a more formal handshake. "This was my big step," she added.
However, once inside the party, Diana noticed that both Camilla and Charles were nowhere to be found. She confessed that the realization 'disturbed her' and she then went searching for the pair in another part of the house.
"I know what I'm going to confront myself with," she admitted. "They tried to stop me from going downstairs. 'Diana, don't go down there."
But Diana replied: "I'm just going to find my husband." She said she found a "happy little threesome going on" with Charles, Camilla and another man chatting away.
Diana continued: "I thought, all right, this is your moment, so I went and sat down and joined in the conversation as though we were all best friends."
And I said, 'Camilla, I'd love to have a word with you, if possible.' And she got really uncomfortable, put her head down and she said, 'Oh yes, all right.' And I said to the two men, 'Ok, boys I'm just going to have a quick word with Camilla, and I'll be up in a minute'."
Diana added: "They shot upstairs like chickens with no heads and I could feel, upstairs, all hell breaking loose. 'What is she going to do?'". So I said, 'Camilla, would you like to sit down?' So we sat down and I was terrified of her. And I said, 'Camilla, I would just like you to know that I know exactly what's going on'. She said 'I don't know what you're talking about.'"
The late princess further said: "I said 'I know what's going on between you and Charles, and I just want you to know that.' And she said to me, very interestingly, she said to me, 'You've got everything you've ever wanted. You've got all the men in the world falling in love with you, you've got two beautiful children, what more do you want?'"
Diana retorted, "I want my husband," then further confronted Camilla, stating, "Don't treat me like an idiot."
Recounting the car ride home, Diana expressed feeling that Charles was over her "like a bad rash."
Describing her emotional state, she mentioned, "I cried like I have never cried before," and attributed it to the release of seven years' worth of repressed frustration. Yet, by the next morning, Diana sensed a monumental change within herself, saying, "I'd done something, said what I felt."
Diana shared that she openly told Charles all secrets were out, inviting him to verify the details of their conversation with Camilla if he wished.
Despite Diana's efforts, the fractures in her marriage to Charles remained beyond repair, and they publicly confirmed their separation in 1992.
After prolonged negotiations, their divorce finalized in 1996. The official statement released on behalf of the Princess noted: "The Princess of Wales has agreed to Prince Charles's request for a divorce."
It continued, detailing her future, "The Princess will continue to be involved in all decisions relating to the children and will remain at Kensington Palace with offices in St James's Palace. The Princess of Wales will retain the title and be known as Diana, Princess of Wales."
A spokesperson for the Palace also confirmed, "We can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales had a private meeting this afternoon at St James's Palace.
At this meeting details of the divorce settlement and the Princess's future role were not discussed. All the details on these matters, including titles, remain to be discussed and settled. This will take time."
Years later, Charles, who is now 71, walked down the aisle with Camilla, currently aged 72, in 2005.
Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sports and entertainment stories.
Post a Comment