The Case of Diana, Princess of Wales

[Jane]

This has been an open "secret" in the North of England for many years. According to local gossip the Royal Family in the form of the late Queen Mother had been made aware of the need for clothing and financial assistance but her staff had refused assistance. As the article intimates the family were definitely ashamed of these girls, especially when Elizabeth Bowes Lyon married the king's second son! Imagine the fear among the Royal family that any children of that particular union would have learning difficulties. So many children were sent to institutions, to be forgotten, also of course girls who became pregnant out of marriage. As a student nurse I saw some of the illegitimate children as old people. They had never been allowed to enter the wider community and because of that fact alone, had few if any communication skills. Tragic but an old old story
- me, Sunny Coast Australia, 12/11/2011


In those dark, distant days, the production of an illegitimate child was seen to be proof of the mother suffering from a condition called "Nymphomania" and thus a danger to any poor, unsuspecting male who crossed her path, but it was also believed that the uterus was the seat of that other female condition, "Hysteria."

[Steve_uk]

This is an interesting listen if you have a spare hour or so.  https://youtu.be/ZgQAUhKA4MU

[Steve_uk]

I saw the Settelen tapes two years ago, and maybe they're better left unbroadcasted. https://youtu.be/GjmOSSssqIc

[Steve_uk]

Another look at the fatal car crash that morning. https://youtu.be/8WFZRBpsO2k

[Jane]

Another look at the fatal car crash that morning. https://youtu.be/8WFZRBpsO2k

I'm always amazed at how painful it still is and the shock when it's spoken about.

[Steve_uk]

I'm always amazed at how painful it still is and the shock when it's spoken about.

The Establishment separated Diana and James, whilst thrusting Charles and Camilla ever closer together. https://youtu.be/U--XrOrNgNE

[Jane]

The Establishment separated Diana and James, whilst thrusting Charles and Camilla ever closer together. https://youtu.be/U--XrOrNgNE

Gosh Steve, this one's been done on so many forums. Will opinions ever be undivided? It seemed impossible back in 1997 that Diana wouldn't always be at the forefront of out memories but life has gone on. With hindsight, I have serious doubts that James Hewitt was THE right one in the long term -certainly, I don't believe Dodi was- and the lovely heart surgeon would have disappeared under the weight of the pressure marriage with her would have brought. Charles, on the other hand, emotionally, if not always physically, was never NOT committed to Camilla, and however much it grieves me to say it, she's a far more appropriate wife for him than Diana ever was. Camilla fulfills the roles of wife, lover, mistress, mother and friend, all necessary for his emotional well being. Diana couldn't be any of those things because of her own neediness. Because they both needed the same things, neither was capable of giving to the other. I wish Diana could have found some sort of lasting peace. I think she was getting there, but it was going to be a long road before she stopped seeking the approval of others to make her feel valued.

[Steve_uk]

Gosh Steve, this one's been done on so many forums. Will opinions ever be undivided? It seemed impossible back in 1997 that Diana wouldn't always be at the forefront of out memories but life has gone on. With hindsight, I have serious doubts that James Hewitt was THE right one in the long term -certainly, I don't believe Dodi was- and the lovely heart surgeon would have disappeared under the weight of the pressure marriage with her would have brought. Charles, on the other hand, emotionally, if not always physically, was never NOT committed to Camilla, and however much it grieves me to say it, she's a far more appropriate wife for him than Diana ever was. Camilla fulfills the roles of wife, lover, mistress, mother and friend, all necessary for his emotional well being. Diana couldn't be any of those things because of her own neediness. Because they both needed the same things, neither was capable of giving to the other. I wish Diana could have found some sort of lasting peace. I think she was getting there, but it was going to be a long road before she stopped seeking the approval of others to make her feel valued.

I wonder why Charles didn't propose to her in the early 1970s, by which time they had known each other for several years. I think Major James Hewitt was the one for Diana, but he was ordered to Iraq where the Establishment was hoping he would get killed. Meanwhile Charles' friends were arranging trysts for him and Camilla, whilst briefing against Diana with their cruel, unfounded stories on her mental health.

[Jane]

I wonder why Charles didn't propose to her in the early 1970s, by which time they had known each other for several years. I think Major James Hewitt was the one for Diana, but he was ordered to Iraq where the Establishment was hoping he would get killed. Meanwhile Charles' friends were arranging trysts for him and Camilla, whilst briefing against Diana with their cruel, unfounded stories on her mental health.

She wasn't deemed a suitable bride for him, Steve. Shall we say, her reputation preceded her. I certainly believe that Charles WAS relieved that Diana accepted him. It saved him the problem of having to explain Camilla to a more worldly woman. I imagine had Diana been prepared -as had previous royal wives- to put up and shut up, they MAY still be married. Diana's psychology -because of her past experiences- was fragile. I rather think that the cruel game that was played in trying to deny and conceal Charles' relationship with Camilla pushed her, if not right over, perilously close to the edge.