Princess Diana's biggest 'fear' during 'desperate and ugly' divorce from Prince Charles
Diana opened up to her friends...Princess Diana revealed in private letters she “wouldn’t have agreed to divorce” Prince Charles if she’d known how “ugly” it would be.
The late Princess of Wales and current monarch King Charles separated in 1992, after they tied the knot in 1981. They were officially married for 15 years when Princess Diana‘s divorce from the then Prince of Wales, Charles, was confirmed in August 1996.
However, a few months earlier Diana indicated she struggled to “keep her head up” before the split was finalised.
The revelations were revealed in private letters she wrote to friends. The letters were sold at auction in 2023.
Princess Diana letters unearthed
The correspondence between Diana and friends Susie and Tarek Kassem fetched £141,150 at an auction in 2023.
The collection of 32 letters and cards up for sale were written in 1995 and 1996. Proceeds were donated to charities supported by Diana.
Susie and Tarek treasured the letters for more than 25 years, reflecting innermost thoughts and feelings of the People’s Princess most royal fans never got to see. Her friends chose to sell them so the responsibility of Princess Diana’s letters were not passed onto their children or grandchildren.
According to reports, Diana addressed subjects such as feelings of isolation and fears her phone was bugged in the letters.
One missive dated April 28 1996 concerned the cancellation of an opera visit due to the separation.
Diana wrote: “I am having a very difficult time and pressure is serious and coming from all sides.
“It’s too difficult sometimes to keep one’s head up. And today I am on my knees and just longing for this divorce to go through as the possible cost is tremendous.”
Princess Diana’s confession over divorce from Prince Charles
Meanwhile, just a few weeks later on May 20 1996, Princess Diana is said to have claimed to Mrs Kassem she wouldn’t have gone through the divorce with Prince Charles. The royal alleged that phones at Kensington Palace were under surveillance.
She wrote: “If I’d known a year ago what I’d experience going through this divorce I never would have consented. It’s desperate and ugly.”
Additionally, Diana appeared to take a swipe at those around her when she mentioned how “immensely touched” she was by how her friends were “protective” about her.
“I’m not used to that!” Diana wrote.
Read more: King Charles ‘regrets bad behaviour’ that led to Princess Diana divorce
Royal’s settlement in the break up
In August 1996, after the turbulent battle with divorce lawyers, a settlement was agreed between Princess Diana and Prince Charles.
The Princess of Wales received a lump sum of £17 million. It would be worth around £40 million today.
She also received £400,000 a year for costs to run her private office.
As part of the deal, Diana lost her Her Royal Highness title, but maintained her ties to royal life. This meant she still had rights to live at Kensington palace.
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