In a revelation that casts a new light on one of the Royal Family's most turbulent periods, acclaimed biographer and confidant Gyles Brandreth has disclosed the Duke of Edinburgh's brutally frank private assessment of Princess Diana.
Brandreth, drawing from extensive conversations and private correspondence with Prince Philip, claims the Duke found Diana to be profoundly "unstable" and in desperate "need of help." These startling insights form a central part of the narrative in Brandreth's latest work, offering an unprecedented look behind the palace walls.
'The Situation Was Impossible'
According to the author, Prince Philip was deeply frustrated by the escalating public war of words between Charles and Diana in the early 1990s. He reportedly viewed the Princess's decision to cooperate with Andrew Morton's infamous biography, which laid bare the intimate details of her failing marriage, as a critical point of no return.
Brandreth's account suggests Philip believed Diana's actions were not those of a calculated strategist, but of a deeply troubled individual. The Duke allegedly expressed that the situation had become "impossible" to manage through private, familial channels.
A Father-in-Law's Private Struggle
The biography paints a complex portrait of Philip not as a one-dimensional antagonist, but as a man caught between his duty to the institution of the monarchy and his role as a father-in-law. His infamous letters to Diana during this time, while often characterised as harsh, are presented by Brandreth as a pragmatic attempt to find a resolution and protect the wider family, including his grandsons, Princes William and Harry.
Philip's primary concern, it is claimed, was the wellbeing of his family and the stability of the Crown, which he saw as being threatened by the very public and messy disintegration of the Wales' marriage.
An Enduring Legacy of Conflict
These disclosures from a trusted insider are poised to reignite debate over the Royal Family's treatment of the beloved Princess. They provide a controversial counterpoint to the popular narrative of Diana as a sole victim, instead illustrating the perspectives and profound frustrations felt on the other side of the rift.
Brandreth's claims, sourced from his unique access, ensure that the intricate and painful dynamics of this royal history will continue to be scrutinised and discussed for years to come.
