Read Online Diana's Nightmare - The Family by Chris Hutchins, Peter Thompson - Free Book Online
Authors: Chris Hutchins, Peter Thompson
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reporting that, 'The Princess of Wales drew on the darkest days of her own life to bring hope to millions of women yesterday. In what seemed like a reference to the end of her own marriage, she said women should not have to sacrifice everything for their loved ones and live in the shadow of others "at the cost of their health, their inner strength and their own self-worth". She spoke of the "haze of loneliness and desperation" that drove women to tranquillizers, sleeping pills and anti-depressants and used the phrase "anxious zombies" - a description she has privately applied, half-jokingly, to herself,' said the Mail. 'Health and happiness taken at the cost of others' pain and suffering cannot be acceptable,' said Diana, possibly referring to Prince Charles. 'Women have a right to their own peace of mind. Each person is born with very individual qualities and potential. We as a society owe it to women to create a truly supportive environment in which they too can grow and move forward.'
This was Diana's most powerful speech yet and, through no fault of her own, its coverage completely upstaged the Queen on the anniversary of her coronation. Only the Daily Mirror devoted its front page to the monarchy. It presented an unflattering caricature of Elizabeth by Charles Griffin, which showed her as an aged, bespectacled figure hunched beneath an enormous crown. The headline in the previously loyal newspaper read unapologetically: HOW LONG TO REIGN OVER US?
'Forty years ago today Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, head of the Commonwealth and Defender of the Faith,' the paper editorialised. 'The Daily Mirror congratulates Her Majesty on this latest milestone in her reign. But it is not a happy anniversary. It is no coincidence that she has insisted there shall be no official celebrations. There will be gun salutes at Hyde Park and the Tower of London. And that is all. The Queen will visit the Derby, as usual, and will spend the evening alone at Windsor Castle. Not even her family will be with her. Some anniversary.'
Enharmonic had brought home the royal racing colours of purple, scarlet, black and gold, but it seemed that Her Majesty just couldn't win. When she guarded her money, she was miserly but if she had thrown a lavish party for herself, she would have been accused of extravagance. It was no fun being a monarch anymore.
NOR was it much fun being the Prince of Wales. One of the cushions at Kensington Palace when Charles had been in residence was embroidered with the legend: it's tough being a prince'. It was even tougher being 'a trainee king', as the Goon Show comedian Spike Milligan called his friend. After Camillagate, Charles found out just how tough it could be. He had to wake up every morning to the unpalatable fact that, already a two-time loser, he faced the prospect of losing the Crown as well. He had lost his wife and, for the forseeable future, his mistress. He simply couldn't afford to lose his birthright.
Spurred on by his Palace advisers, he set out to repair some of the damage. This meant fighting his wife in the highly volatile arena of popular acclaim where Diana, not only taller than him in stature but more visible in every other way, was a winner. Charles furrowed his brow, tugged his earlobe and, sucking air between clenched teeth, sallied forth. His first sortie was an embarrassing flop.
The Prince visited Warrington to comfort victims of an IRA bomb blast which had killed one small boy, mortally wounded a twelve-year-old and injured many other people. He smiled throughout a tour of the hospital where victims were recovering from their injuries. 'Your courage has made my day,' he told a woman who had lost a leg. This made it seem as though he was more concerned about himself than the wounded bomb victims. It was an off-key performance and one he deeply regretted.
When a memorial service was held for the two murdered boys, Jonathan Ball and Tim Parry, the Palace vetoed
This was Diana's most powerful speech yet and, through no fault of her own, its coverage completely upstaged the Queen on the anniversary of her coronation. Only the Daily Mirror devoted its front page to the monarchy. It presented an unflattering caricature of Elizabeth by Charles Griffin, which showed her as an aged, bespectacled figure hunched beneath an enormous crown. The headline in the previously loyal newspaper read unapologetically: HOW LONG TO REIGN OVER US?
'Forty years ago today Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, head of the Commonwealth and Defender of the Faith,' the paper editorialised. 'The Daily Mirror congratulates Her Majesty on this latest milestone in her reign. But it is not a happy anniversary. It is no coincidence that she has insisted there shall be no official celebrations. There will be gun salutes at Hyde Park and the Tower of London. And that is all. The Queen will visit the Derby, as usual, and will spend the evening alone at Windsor Castle. Not even her family will be with her. Some anniversary.'
Enharmonic had brought home the royal racing colours of purple, scarlet, black and gold, but it seemed that Her Majesty just couldn't win. When she guarded her money, she was miserly but if she had thrown a lavish party for herself, she would have been accused of extravagance. It was no fun being a monarch anymore.
NOR was it much fun being the Prince of Wales. One of the cushions at Kensington Palace when Charles had been in residence was embroidered with the legend: it's tough being a prince'. It was even tougher being 'a trainee king', as the Goon Show comedian Spike Milligan called his friend. After Camillagate, Charles found out just how tough it could be. He had to wake up every morning to the unpalatable fact that, already a two-time loser, he faced the prospect of losing the Crown as well. He had lost his wife and, for the forseeable future, his mistress. He simply couldn't afford to lose his birthright.
Spurred on by his Palace advisers, he set out to repair some of the damage. This meant fighting his wife in the highly volatile arena of popular acclaim where Diana, not only taller than him in stature but more visible in every other way, was a winner. Charles furrowed his brow, tugged his earlobe and, sucking air between clenched teeth, sallied forth. His first sortie was an embarrassing flop.
The Prince visited Warrington to comfort victims of an IRA bomb blast which had killed one small boy, mortally wounded a twelve-year-old and injured many other people. He smiled throughout a tour of the hospital where victims were recovering from their injuries. 'Your courage has made my day,' he told a woman who had lost a leg. This made it seem as though he was more concerned about himself than the wounded bomb victims. It was an off-key performance and one he deeply regretted.
When a memorial service was held for the two murdered boys, Jonathan Ball and Tim Parry, the Palace vetoed
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