Diana Princess of Wales pictured in 1988. Photo / Getty Images
Diana Princess of Wales pictured in 1988. Photo / Getty Images
In this world-exclusive extract for the Herald on Sunday, a new book about the royal family recounts the evening Princess Diana challenged Camilla on her extramarital affair with Prince Charles.
February 1989, London. Lady Annabel Goldsmith, who describes herself as an "incredible mother, rather a good mistress, but not avery good wife" to billionaire financier Sir James Goldsmith, is hosting a birthday party. The guest of honour is Camilla Parker Bowles's younger sister, who's turning 40. Diana stares at the invitation. She knows it's a mere formality. It would be strange, not to mention rude, to invite the Prince of Wales and not his wife. But no one is expecting her to actually attend. Especially not Charles.
Diana is about to toss out the invitation when an inner voice says, Go for the hell of it. She does. But once face-to-face with Camilla at the party, Diana experiences a spike of fear. Instead of kissing the woman hello, she shakes Camilla's hand. The action emboldens her, strengthens her bravery.
Diana feels a calmness sweep through her, a feeling that lasts throughout dinner. Afterward, Diana notices that her husband and Camilla are nowhere to be found. More than an hour passes, and still there is no sign of them. She decides to investigate.
Downstairs, in the basement, Diana spots Charles and Camilla in a children's playroom. Diana returns upstairs and seeks out Ken Wharfe.
"I am not going to be shown up in this way," Diana tells him. "I want to talk to her — now."
Wharfe is uneasy in the knowledge that there's no dissuading Diana.
Lady Diana Spencer and Camilla Parker-Bowles at Ludlow Races where Prince Charles was competing in 1980. Photo / Express Newspapers
Last summer, while vacationing with the boys at her mother's home off the west coast of Scotland, the princess insisted on ironing her bodyguard's shirts.
She didn't listen then, and it will be the same tonight. Diana needs a witness. Wharfe will do nicely. A guest sees where she's going and intervenes. "Diana, don't go down there." "I'm just going to find my husband," she replies.
Wharfe reluctantly follows. Diana finds Camilla and Charles sharing a sofa, locked in intimate conversation. The two of them look uncomfortable. Guilty. As if one, they stand. Wharfe turns to leave.
"Please don't go, Ken," Diana says, but Wharfe excuses himself so that Diana, Charles, and Camilla can address this private matter. "Camilla, I'd like to have a word with you, if it's possible," says Diana.
She waits for her husband to leave her alone with his mistress. "Camilla, would you like to sit down?" They sit on the sofa. The princess has always been terrified of this woman, the power she holds; but when Diana speaks, her voice is calm.
"I know about you two." Camilla tries to shift the blame. "Don't think it's my fault. Charles and I had a pact that I wouldn't contact him for five years after the wedding."
"I'm sorry I'm in the way, and it must be hell for the both of you," Diana says icily. "But I do know what's going on. Don't treat me like an idiot."
"You've got everything you ever wanted," Camilla states. "You've got two beautiful children. What more could you want?"
In March, Charles and Diana travel together on an official visit to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
They stay in separate suites.
Diana's feelings toward Charles have turned. There comes a time when you just don't care anymore. That time has come. I just don't care anymore, she's decided. If I could write my own script I would have my husband go away with his woman and never come back.
But there are William and Harry to think of, always.
The first time I experienced true happiness was when I held William in my arms. I'd never been that happy before. And I've never been that happy since, except when I had Harry.
Diana opens her suitcase and finds an envelope. Inside is a letter from William wishing her and Charles a "lovey time" on their tour.
