Royal row between King Charles and Earl Spencer

[Viviennemary]

Buckingham Palace said they don't usually comment but they can't stay silent. Apparently Prince Charles said at the time of Diana's death rest assured we'll forget her soon enough. Which is pretty horrendous. Charles has more or less said grief had clouded Earl Spencer's judgement and memory.

I don't know why he has waited nearly 30 years to come out with this.

Trouble is, because of who they are, if they became a private family they would still have absolitely huge influence in the upper tiers of society without having any meaningful scrutiny or accountability at all, and that could be really dangerous. Imagine an Andrew type still being facilitated by other elites to operate the way he did simply because he was the queen's son.... but not having to answer to anybody for his foul behaviour because he was a private citizen.

Well they were stupid then -why on earth would anyone think that!

So elated means presumably happy. Is he seriously saying that when KC spoke with Diana's family he sounded happy and excited?

Even if he did (unlikely) why wash this or of dirty linen in public and damage young children's relationship with their grandfather.

What Charles Spencer is doing with that book is disgusting. What he says about his anorexia ex is also disgusting, especially as his sisters also had an eating disorder.

I remember in the summer of 1981 grumbling to my mum about all the fascination with Diana being “pure” & saying “you never hear them ask whether Charles is a virgin” & she being horrified & saying she was sure he was… sigh!

There’s something about royalty that deranges people.

Yes. It was sold as pre pack administration deal. Basically an insolvency process in reality, so the middletons could and did claim it's not their fault suppliers were not paid.

Suppliers were interviewed and said they trusted the debts would be paid because of their royal connection. They thought it would mean they would behave honourably.

Andrew doesn't have to answer to anyone at the moment.
At least the king would not be immune from the law. If we had Andrew as king no one could do anything about him being a nonce. He would be untouchable, as it were.

That's true. But also imagine if they were private. A whole unofficial 'court' might develop that would operate in the shadows, and god knows what that might throw up. I mean, look at Harry and Meghan goong in round sticking their noses in everything. That's gone downnloke svbucket of sick with plenty of people. Just imagine if the whole family was at it.

I was surprised that he has put this in the book but it does sound like KC's explosive outbursts. It wasn't hours after Diana's death

In the published excerpt, Earl Spencer says the then-Prince of Wales subjected him to a "stream of anger" after he insisted Diana would not have wanted Princes William and Harry, then aged 15 and 12, to have to walk in her funeral procession. (BBC)

@Daygloboo I wouldn't care less if they go around visiting charities in their own time and with their own money. Some rich people already do this. They can crack on.

I don't believe that either - even if he really felt that (which I very much doubt) I can't imagine him allowing that to be seen by the Spencer family.

There is no report except Diana's about the timing of those events. I do not believe he wore the cufflinks on the day of his wedding or on his honeymoon, there would be photos of them.

If it's a shooting offence for very close friends and previous lovers to swap keepsakes, then there's going to be a very long queue for the firing squad.

What don't people understand about the fact that this was an utterly mistaken and tragic arranged marriage for both of them?

More like they'd want great influence over things they should keep their snouts out of. Can you imagine Fergie doing charity work if she could go about things free of the public gaze. I dont think so.

Yes Charles did wear CC cufflinks on his wedding day.

I watched this for the first time a few days ago (having read so much condemnation of KC on here) and my thought was..”Was that it?” My God, the way it’s talked about by some people, you’d think he’d kicked the table over and stormed off! He’d lost his mother the day before too.

But they can already do this anyway. The only thing that stops them is if the monarch withholds funds from them.

I still think charles showed little empathy for diana . I think she at least tried, but he was too selfish to bother. I believe he mentally checked out of that marriage long before she did, with little or no regard for the position she was in..He's selfish and spoilt imo..and all the tantrums and outbursts reported by various people over the years are just more examples of spoilt entitled behaviour. Imagine a relationship where Camilla has to 'calm him down'. Good god.

Just like Diana then.

At the moment, I dont think they can do what they like without consequences.

Exactly.

If this was a commoner's marriage would anyone be at all surprised if it ended in divorce?

Man- getting on a bit, convention required a virgin for him as a bride, (pretty rare find in the 1980s) domineering father said come on, get a move on, here's a nice girl for you who is suitable and we need a children for the family 'line'.

Woman- still a teenager, no real life experience, 13 years younger, never had a proper relationship, or much of a job, not educated, starry eyed at the prospect of an older man with status.

They had a few dates, barely knew each other, didn't have much in common (reported as Radio 3 lover marrying Radio 1) but hey, the dress was ordered, church booked, tea towels printed.

Add to this he still had a soft spot for a woman he's dated years before who didn't fit the virgin requirement and was married anyway.

Terrible match, predictable outcome, both had affairs before a messy and public divorce.

Yes I feel sorry for Camilla, an elderly woman having to calm down her raging husband. Apparently staff sometimes contact her at her house to come over and calm him down. No wonder they live apart.

There is no proof of that whatsoever. You'd think there would be photos, wouldn't you?

so no other couples shout, get angry, etc etc.

Really?

You should try reading more of mumsnet Relationships!

What consequences? Andrew has been accused of raping sex trafficked teenagers, and lied his head off on a TV interview about the allegations.

His consequences? After quite a few years he had to leave his mansion and instead moved into one on Charles estate. He has also being prevented from doing taxpayer funded charity visits. That's it.

And don't tell me he is a recluse. He has been spotted in France where he was considering buying a holiday home and has been seen travelling in the middle east. It's almost life as it was before.

Bloody nonsense. He feels strongly about stuff, he has opinions, he's hemmed in by protocol.

You have no idea that 'staff' ask C to come over- that's media tittle tattle.

They adore each other. They do not live apart. She retained her own home after her divorce, as a means to get away from the pomp of the royal palaces so she can entertain her friends and family without all the restrictions of the royal residences, wear jeans, slob out a bit, be NORMAL.

I think every married woman I know would love a 2nd home to escape to now and then for some me-time.

Good on her I say.