Diana's BBC interview with translation. Audio recordings of Princess Diana about her marriage to Charles released

Friday, November 24, 1995
BBC: Your Royal Highness, were you prepared for the pressure of joining the Royal Family?
Diana: When you are 19 years old, it always seems that you are ready for anything and imagine your future. At first I felt out of place, but I always felt the support of my husband.
BBC: What did you expect from family life?
Diana: I believe that everyone in a marriage, especially if you have divorced parents, wants to achieve success. And don’t fit the mold of what you saw in your family. I was desperate for this, I desperately loved my husband and wanted us to share everything together, I thought we were a great team.
BBC: How did you feel about everything that was happening to you? After you have become a princess with the prospect of taking the queen's throne.
Diana: I was not discouraged by this, I was never scared off by responsibility. Naturally, it was and remains a difficult task to hold such a post. As for becoming a queen, for me it was not an end in itself when I got married.
The most unexpected thing that happened to me was the attention from the media. We were warned that the engagement would cause a stir among journalists who might sneak up unnoticed, and this happened. Then they focused their attention on me, and I began to appear alone on the front pages of newspapers every day.
BBC: How do you explain that Lady Diana Spencer has become the most photographed, most talked about woman in the world?
Diana: I had to for a long time track what causes people's interest in my personality. I assumed that this might be because my husband had done a lot of work preparing for the wedding and the relationship. But over time, you realize that you yourself become a product and people make good money from you.
BBC: According to the press, it was very difficult for you to cope with your responsibilities. Were you worried?
Diana: Yes, of course. Then there was a situation that could not have happened before, it felt like the media was everywhere. It was something like a circus in which everyone wanted to take part. It was a situation where you can't feel sorry for yourself: you either sink or swim. You learn this very quickly.
BBC: So what did you do?
Diana: I swam. We went to Alice Springs in Australia. And when we arrived, we went for a walk, and I asked my husband a question: “What should I do now?” He replied: “Go to the other side and talk to them.” I said, "I can't, I can't." He said, “You must do this,” and went off to do his duty. I followed and also fulfilled my duty. I began to understand everything. We did a six-week tour: four weeks in Australia and two in New Zealand. At the end, when we returned, I became a completely different person. A sense of duty and interest appeared in me, and I understood my role, which I still perform.
BBC: Were you repressed by people in the beginning?
Diana: Yes. I was very much intimidated by such interest, I was a plump, round-faced 20-21 year old girl, and I could not understand what caused such interest.
BBC: Would you say that in the early stages you were happily married?
Diana: Very happy. But the pressure from journalists was phenomenal. For example, when we were traveling around Australia, everyone could hear: oh, they didn't bypass it. If you were a proud man, like my husband, how would you feel hearing this every day for four weeks? You would feel depressed instead of happy.
BBC: When you say “didn't bypass it,” what do you mean?
Diana: They didn't let me pass.
BBC: So they preferred you over your husband?
Diana: Yes. I felt uncomfortable about this, it seemed dishonest to me, because I wanted to share everything equally in our lives.
BBC: Aren't you flattered that the media pays increased attention to you?
Diana: The increased attention was not flattering, because along with this attention came envy and various difficult situations.
BBC: What did you initially see as Princess Diana's role? Did you have any ideas about what she should do?
Diana: No, I was very embarrassed to appear on this stage. But over time, I began to immerse myself more and more in the problems of people rejected by society - drug addicts, alcoholics, the oppressed. And in them I found something close to me. I was amazed by their sincerity during our communication. In hospices, for example, people are more open and vulnerable, they are more natural than others. I really appreciated it.
BBC: Did the Palace help you understand what your role was?
Diana: No. No one sat me down and gave me a piece of paper and said, “This is what is expected of you in the future.” But I was happy that I managed to find my place, I felt it and loved being with people.
BBC: Did you create the role you wanted to create? What did you do for this?
Diana: I remember sitting on hospital beds and holding people's hands. And people were in some shock because they had not seen this before. Although for me it was a completely normal thing. I noticed that people found comfort in these actions, and I decided to always do this.
BBC: You became pregnant shortly after your wedding. What was your reaction when you found out you were expecting a boy?
Diana: A huge relief. I felt that he would work with me. A huge relief. When I was pregnant, the scanner showed it was going to be a boy.
BBC: Have you always wanted to have a family?
Diana: I came from a family where there were four of us. We were incredibly happy. And now William and Harry are just happiness for me, although it is harder than having two girls, because it is necessary special approach to their upbringing. But I decided: let their future be what it will be.
BBC: Like members royal family What was your reaction when you found out it was going to be a boy?
Diana: Everyone felt awe to some extent. For me, the pregnancy was quite difficult, but when William was born, it was a huge relief, peace reigned. I was healthy and happy. But then came postpartum depression, which was discussed many times. It was a difficult time. You wake up in the morning and realize that you don’t want to get up, you don’t feel understood, you cry to yourself.
BBC: Wasn't that in your character?
Diana: Yes, of course. I have never been depressed in my life. When I then analyzed what changes had occurred in the last year, this picture stood before my eyes, and my body said: “We want rest.”
BBC: What did you want?
Diana: I wanted a lot, I understood that I needed space and time to adapt to the new conditions that arose on my way. I knew I could cope if only people would be more tolerant of me and give me time.
BBC: When you talk about new conditions that have come your way, what do you mean?
Diana: It was a short period of time. The time in which my life completely changed, when everything turned upside down, it is a beautiful moment, but also a moment of change. And I saw where there were rough edges and how to smooth them out.
BBC: How did your family react to your postpartum depression?
Diana: I may have been the first member of this family to be depressed and cry openly. And it was obviously discouraging, because if you haven't seen it before, how can you react to it?
BBC: How has depression affected your life together?
Diana: It allowed everyone to talk about me as an unstable and unbalanced person. Unfortunately, this has been discussed off and on for several years.
BBC: According to reporters' statements, it is believed that life became so difficult that you injured yourself?
Diana: When no one listens to you or you feel like no one is listening to you, anything can happen. You hurt yourself on the outside because you want help, but you realize you're not getting what you need. People greedily devour all this and believe that if you appear in the press, it means you have enough attention. But I cried out for help because I wanted to be better, to move forward, to fulfill my responsibilities as a wife, mother and princess of Great Britain. So I was stabbing myself. I didn't like myself, I was ashamed because I couldn't handle the pressure.
BBC: What did you usually do?
Diana: I injured my arms and legs. Now I work in an environment where I see women with similar problems and understand what is causing them.
BBC: What was your husband's reaction to your actions?
Diana: I never did this in front of him. But it is obvious that the one who loves wants to care.
BBC: Do you think he understood what was behind it?
Diana: No. Not all people had time to see it.
BBC: Would you say you were unwell, or is that natural for a princess?
Diana: I was in my role. I was obliged to get out of this state and fulfill my obligations - not to leave people in trouble, to support and love them. And people supported me in return, although they did not realize how much they were helping me.
BBC: Did you feel that you were maintaining the image of the successful Princess of Wales?
Diana: Yes, of course.
BBC: The depression was severe, judging by your words. Later it became known about your illness – bulimia nervosa. This is true?
Diana: Yes, I suffered from bulimia for several years. It was hidden illness. You hit yourself because your self-esteem is low and you don't feel valued or loved. You get indigestion four or five times a day, sometimes more, and it makes you feel uncomfortable. Then you get annoyed by your bloated belly, and that's it. vicious circle. This all really destroys you.
BBC: How often did this happen?
Diana: Depends on the pressure. Coming home, you feel empty, because at that time you had to be with the dying, the sick, and experiencing family troubles. And you realize that you can feel comfort when other people feel it. You come home and, out of habit, jump into the refrigerator. This is a symptom that accompanied me during my marriage. I asked for help, but gave the wrong signals. People thought bulimia was just a cover. They concluded: Diana is unbalanced.
BBC: Instead of getting to the bottom of the reason.
Diana: Well, yes.
BBC: What was the reason?
Diana: The reason was the situation that my husband and I did everything together, we did not want to disappoint the public, a lot of anxiety remained inside our house.
BBC: Did you seek support from the royal family?
Diana: No. You know, when you have bulimia, you are very ashamed and hate yourself. People think you're trash. So you can't discuss it with people.
With bulimia your weight remains stable, while with anorexia you lose a lot of weight, so there was no evidence.
BBC: When people assumed you were a waste, did anyone support you?
Diana: Yes, people. Many times.
BBC: What did he say?
Diana: Something like, “I hope you become trash later.” This also had its own pressure. Of course, I would like to hold out.
BBC: How long were you sick?
Diana: For a long time. Now I'm free from this.
BBC: Two or three years?
Diana: Mmm. I think a little more.
BBC: According to newspaper reports, during this period you experienced difficulties in your personal life?
Diana: We were a newlywed couple, we were under pressure from the media, who were fascinated by everything we did. No matter what clothes I wore, no matter what I said, no matter how my hair lay, the way we behaved became our work - all these little things tired us after a few years.
BBC: How has public interest affected your marriage?
Diana: It was difficult, especially for a couple who do the same job: we drive the same car, shake hands. It's hard for a couple, especially if all the attention is on you. We tried to fight it, but it was unbearable. My husband decided that we needed to share our responsibilities. It was very sad because I loved the company enough.
BBC: So it wasn't your request to do everything yourself?
Diana: Not at all.
BBC: Jonathan Dimbleby's biography of the Prince of Wales, which, as you know, was published last year, suggested that you and your husband had very different worldviews, different interests. Do you agree with this?
Diana: No. I believe that we had a lot in common: we both loved people, our country, children, worked in a cancer clinic, in hospices. But I was portrayed by the media, if I remember correctly, as stupid. I once made the mistake of telling my child that I was dumb as a log. And all the newspaper headlines globe were full of this phrase. I regret that I said that.
BBC: The Prince is described in the biography as great thinker, a person with varied interests. What does he think about your interests?
Diana: I don't think I was allowed to have them. I was always the 18 year old girl he got engaged to, I had no growth spurts. But, fortunately, I grew up.
BBC: Explain what you mean when you say that.
Diana: Well...
BBC: When do you say you've never had tremors?
Diana: When I succeeded in something, no one said: “well done” or “everything is fine?” But when there was a stumble, and this happened because these conditions were unusual for me, a ton of bricks fell on me.
BBC: How did you deal with this?
Diana: It’s clear that there were a lot of tears, a descent into bulimia, and escape.
BBC: Some people find that you were so lonely that you couldn't cope with your responsibilities, and the descriptions suggest that your relationship with your husband was not very good to begin with?
Diana: We were under special pressure, we tried to hide, but nothing worked out for us.
BBC: Around 1986, going back to Jonathan Dimbleby's biography of your husband, he says your husband rekindled his relationship with Camilla Parker. Did you know about this?
Diana: Yes, I knew, but I couldn’t do anything about it.
BBC: What evidence did you have that his relationship with Camilla continued even after your marriage?
Diana: Female instinct is a good thing.
BBC: That's all?
Diana: I just knew.
BBC: From staff?
Diana: From people who cared about our marriage.
BBC: What impression did this make on you?
Diana: Devastation. The most violent bulimia imaginable, the feeling that everything is hopeless, worthless and a failure.
BBC: And with a husband who was having a relationship with someone else?
Diana: Yes, and with a husband who loved another woman.
BBC: Did you really think so?
Diana: I didn't think so, I knew it.
BBC: How could you know?
Diana: My husband’s behavior has changed. I relied more on instinct. It was terrible and getting more and more terrible.
BBC: How did this translate in practice?
Diana: People, I mean my husband’s friends, presented me as unstable, sad and wanted to put me in a mental hospital so that I would feel better. I was completely confused.
BBC: Do you think he really thought that?
Diana: There is no better way to deprive an individual than to isolate it.
BBC: Were you isolated?
Diana: Yes. Very much.
BBC: Do you think Miss Parker was the reason for the breakdown of your marriage?
Diana: There were three of us in our marriage, and that’s already too many.
BBC: You actually lived separately, although materials still appeared in the press about the happiness of the royal couple. What were the relationships like in the royal family?
Diana: I think everyone was concerned about what was happening because they could see all the difficulties, but no one wanted to interfere.
BSC: Do you allow for the possible coexistence of two lives – public and personal?
Diana: No, because the media were very interested in our couple. When we traveled abroad, we took separate rooms, although on the same floor. But there was a leak, and this caused various complications. Charles and I had responsibilities, that was paramount to us.
BBC: But it feels like it. Have you managed these two lives?
Diana: We were a good team for the public. Despite the fact that this all affected our personal lives, we were a good team.
BBC: Some people think it would be quite difficult to make peace?
Diana: That's their problem. I know it's possible.
BBC: The Queen described 1992 as a "low point" in her life, and Andrew Morton's book about you was published that year. Did you meet the author or personally help him write the book?
Diana: I've never met him.
BBC: Did you contribute in any way to the writing of the book?
Diana: Many people saw how broken I was at that moment. And they understood that this would somehow help them achieve what they were striving for.
BBC: Did you allow friends, your close friends, to communicate with Andrew Morton?
Diana: Yes, of course. Yes.
BBC: Why?
Diana: I was at my limit. I was in despair. I strong personality and I know that the reasons for the difficulties lie in the world where I live.
BBC: Could this book change anything?
Diana: I don't know. Perhaps people would understand better, perhaps it would help women suffering in a similar situation, who are unable to rise up because their self-esteem is broken in two. I don't know.
BBC: What effect did this book have on your husband and the royal family?
Diana: I think they were shocked and very disappointed.
BBC: Do you understand why?
Diana: I think this book was a shock and a disappointment to a lot of people.
BBC: What impact did the book have on your relationship with the Prince of Wales?
Diana: It was hidden, or what we thought was hidden. Then it came out, discussions and pressure began. Are you staying together or are you going to break up? And words like separation and divorce were raised in the media every day.
BBC: What happened after the book was published?
Diana: We fought together. We fulfilled our obligations together. And in our personal lives, this caused obvious concerns.
BBC: Did different thoughts come into your head?
Diana: Yes, slowly. My husband and I discussed this very calmly. We understood that society needed clarification of a situation that was becoming unbearable.
BBC: So what happened?
Diana: We went to the lawyers together. We discussed breaking up. Obviously a lot of people have discussed this with us: the Prime Minister, Her Majesty. And then it went by itself, so they started talking about it.
BBC: In December of that year, as you said. You were ready for a legal divorce. How did you feel?
Diana: Deep, deep sadness. Because we fought, but we both ran out of steam. I suppose the consolation was that in the end we both came to terms with the idea. My husband started talking about separation, and I supported him.
BBC: It wasn't your idea?
Diana: No, not at all. I grew up in a divorced family, and I wouldn't want to be in that situation again.
BBC: What happened next?
Diana: I asked my husband that we tell the children about this before they returned from Christmas holidays. Being in school, they are protected from press harassment.
BBC: Have you told your children that you are going to separate?
Diana: Yes, I explained to them what was happening. They, like all children, began to ask a lot of questions. I hoped that I could calm them down. But who could know about this?
BBC: How did this message affect them?
Diana: It had a huge impact on the Prince and me, but it had an even greater impact on the children.
BBC: The spat happened in 1993. What happened during this period?
Diana: The topic of discussion suddenly changed. I was then the estranged wife of a prince. I was a problem, a burden. Everyone was wondering: “What to do with her?” This hasn't happened before.
BBC: Who asked these questions?
Diana: People around me, my environment and...
BBC: Royal family?
Diana: Yes. People from my circle.
BBC: And you started to feel like you were a problem?
Diana: Yes, and very much so.
BBC: How did you put it?
Diana: My trips abroad were suspended, many things were prohibited, letters disappeared and the like.
BBC: Despite the fact that you were interested in business, you were excluded from many things?
Diana: Yes. A lot changed when I became a estranged wife and life became difficult for me.
BBC: Who was behind these changes?
Diana: My husband's side.
BBC: What was your reaction to the fact that there was a recording of telephone conversations between you and Mr James Gilbey?
Diana: I felt protected by James because he was a good friend of mine. I couldn't bear to see his life go wrong because there was a connection between us. This bothered me. I'm used to protecting my friends.
BBC: Did you refer to telephone conversations?
Diana: Yes, of course.
BBC: According to the recording, Mr Gilbey expresses his affection for you. How can you explain this?
Diana: In my opinion, he is a very gentle man. But it would be wrong to read the subtext of the conversation as a close relationship between two adults.
BBC: Do you have any idea how the conversation ended up in the national newspapers?
Diana: No. But it was done to harm me.
BBC: What is the purpose of such actions?
Diana: So that society changes its attitude towards me. After the separation, my husband had more cards in his hands than I did - it was big poker or chess.
BBC: There was also a series of telephone conversations you made in relation to Mr Oliver Hoare. Could you tell us the nuances of these conversations?
Diana: I believe three hundred phone calls were made, I remember my lifestyle: I was a very busy lady at that time. So I can't answer, I can't. This was a powerful action to discredit me in the eyes of the public. They almost succeeded. I did my own research and found out who the young man was who was calling me so many times. It was Mr Hoare.
BBC: Have there been several calls like this?
Diana: Yes.
BBC: Once, twice, three times?
Diana: I don't know. Over a period of six to nine months, but, of course, this happened in an unobtrusive manner.
BBC: Do you really believe that the campaign was against you?
Diana: Yes, I'm absolutely sure of that.
BBC: Why?
Diana: I was not the prince's woman, I was the problem. It was necessary to put an end to me. But how can I do this if there was no compromising evidence on me before?
BBC: Wouldn't it have been better for them to send you out quietly rather than create a whole campaign?
Diana: I couldn’t leave quietly, that was the problem. I knew that I would fight to the end because I believed that I would play my part and raise two children.
BBC: Towards the end of 1993 you suffered from persistent harassment from the press - your telephone conversations were published - and you decided to give up public life. Why did you decide to do this?
Diana: The pressure was unbearable. My work, all my activities were affected. I wanted to give 100% to my work. But she could only do it by 50%. I was constantly exhausted and tired because there was pressure. It was cruel. I made the decision that I needed to make a speech and leave before I started to get frustrated with everything and not do my job. It was my decision to give a speech because I had to publicly say so that everyone would know, “Thank you. I'll be gone for a while, but I'll be back."
BBC: You returned soon.
Diana: I don't know. I did a lot of work in the shadows, without media scrutiny, I never stopped. And my return came as a surprise to those who caused my grief. They didn't expect this. I believe that you can always confuse your enemies.
BBC: Who are these enemies?
Diana: My husband's entourage, because I was more famous, more work performed, was more discussed than he. Everything follows from this. I did good things, I wanted to do good. I never hated anyone, I never let anyone fall.
BBC: Do you really think that jealousy undermined you?
Diana: More like fear when strong woman does its job, where does its power end?
BBC: What was your reaction to your husband's revelation to Jonathan Dimbleb that he was essentially cheating?
Diana: I had absolutely no idea about the contents of the book. When I found out, my first reaction was to worry about the children, because they were able to understand what was happening. And I wanted to protect them. I was devastated, but then I admired the honesty because it means a lot.
BBC: What do you mean?
Diana: Honesty about dating someone else.
BBC: How did you resolve this situation with the children?
Diana: I went to school to pick up William. At that moment I realized how important it is that if you find someone who loves you, you must hold on to him tightly. To be happy, it is enough to find a person and then protect him. William started asking questions that I expected. He asked about the reason for our separation. I said that there were three of us in the marriage, and pressure from the press was another factor. Together they formed powerful force.
BBC: What effect did this message have on Prince William?
Diana: He is a child who thinks deeply, he worried. I tried to give him all my affection without feelings of resentment or anger.
BBC: Look back. Do you take full responsibility for the difficulties of your family life?
Diana: Mmm. I can't take full responsibility. I take only half, regardless of whether I would like more or not, because in family life everything is done by two people.
BBC: But do you bear some of the responsibility?
Diana: Of course. We both made mistakes.
BBC: Another book, recently published, by Mr James Hewitt, in which he stated a very close relationship with you, dating back to 1989. What is the nature of this relationship?
Diana: We were good friends V hard times. He always supported me. And I'm absolutely devastated after this book came out, because I believed him and because I was again worried about my children's reaction. And most of the evidence in this book came from some other world, this could not happen in reality.
BBC: What do you mean?
Diana: A lot of fantasy, and it really upset me as his friend; the one I trusted made money from me. And ten days before the books appeared on the shelves, he called me and said that there would be no lies there. Stupid me, I believed him. After leaving, the first thing I wanted to do was talk to the children. William said to me, “Mom, I think this has hurt you so much. But you still smile." So...
BBC: Was your close relationship more than a close friendship?
Diana: Yes. Certainly.
BBC: Were you devoted?
Diana: Yes, I adored him. I loved him, but I was deceived.
BBC: How would you describe your life now? You rely only on yourself, don't you?
Diana: Yes, surprisingly. People believe that a man should always be next to a woman. In fact, completed work brings me more satisfaction. (Laughs.)
BBC: What do you mean?
Diana: If I had a man, we would be immediately discussed in the press. And life would turn into hell.
BBC: Do you feel that you need to be alone with yourself to relax?
Diana: No, not necessarily. I have wonderful friends, my boys, my job. Basically, living in Kensington Palace, you're already a little isolated.
BBC: What can you say about the attitude of the press towards you now?
Diana: Today, the interest of the press is discouraging, phenomenal for me, since I do not like to be in the spotlight. When I go out for public works, I understand that if I take a car, I will be caught by photographers. But now I get photographed just walking out the front door. I never know where the lenses might end up. It is already the norm for me that four cars follow me, and when I return to the car, photographers are jumping around me. The journalists decided that I was a product and that I was selling well. They call out to me: “Oh, Diana, look here. If you allow me to take a photo, I can send my children to good school" You might laugh it off. But when this happens all the time, it is quite difficult.
BBC: Some people tend to think that you initially enjoyed the interest from the press: You danced with people like Wayne Sleep, you looked joyful and had a good, warm relationship. Do you think that you owe something to the press?
Diana: I never approved of the mass media. It was a relationship that used to work, but now I can't afford it because it becomes cruel and abusive. I wouldn't want to make you feel sorry for yourself. I'm not like that. I understand it's their job. You will still have to pay for all situations, because you will be criticized. I am a free person, unfortunately for many.
BBC: Are you isolated here at Kensington Palace?
Diana: In general, I am in an environment according to my position. And I don't regret anything. I do the job I chose, I have children, I have plans for the future - I want to visit Argentina and continue its partnership with our country.
BBC: What role do you see yourself in in the future?
Diana: I want to be an ambassador and represent my country abroad. As for media interest, I don’t want to sit in the country and be beaten by them.
BBC: You said you see your future as an ambassador. Is this someone’s wish or just your personal decision?
Diana: I held a privileged position for fifteen years. This allowed me to learn a lot about people and how to communicate. I studied it, I understood it and I want to apply it. I observed people's lives and realized that the most serious illnesses in our society lie in the lack of love. And I know that I can give love every minute, half an hour, throughout the day, throughout the month. I can, and I'm happy that I do this, and I want to do this.
BBC: Do you think the British are satisfied with your accomplishment of your mission?
Diana: I think the British need a statesman with whom they have a sense of intimacy, who feels important, who supports them, who helps them find light in a dark tunnel. I see this as the only possible role.
BBC: Do you think you're succeeding?
Diana: I know yes.
BBC: Before you joined the royal family, the monarchy was at the heart of British life. Don't you think that you are to blame for starting to talk about the monarchy as a relic?
Diana: I don't feel guilty. A couple of times I heard people say: “Diana is destroying the monarchy.” These words confused me: why should I destroy what will provide later life to my children. But I don't want to talk about how people discuss the monarchy.
BBC: What do you mean?
Diana: People don't care. They have enough family problems and other sundry stuff.
BBC: Do you think the monarchy needs to change and can it survive?
Diana: I understand that any change scares people, especially if they don’t understand much about it. They prefer to stay where they are now. I understand that. But I think there are some things that have complicated the relationship between the monarchy and the people that can be changed. I think they can go hand in hand and overcome their silos.
BBC: Have you tried to do anything about this kind of change?
Diana: With William and Harry, for example, I developed projects for the homeless. I took my children to see people with AIDS, although I told them that it was a problem, I wanted my children to visit areas where no one from our circle had been before. They have knowledge that they may never use, but they have acquired it. I hope they will grow because knowledge is power.
BBC: How might all this affect your children?
Diana: I want them to understand people's anxiety, vulnerability, need, people's hopes and dreams.
BBC: What type of monarchy can you name?
Diana: I want to see a monarchy that is in touch with the people. But I would not like to criticize the existing device.
I simply want to say what I see, hear and feel every day in the course of my duty, and which corresponds to my personal choices.
BBC: Quite a lot is said now about the relationship between you and Prince Charles. Would you support divorce? What are your thoughts on this matter?
Diana: I don't want to get a divorce. We need clarification of a situation that has been the subject of heated debate for three years. recent years.
BBC: If he decides to divorce, will you agree?
Diana: We would discuss this with him, until now none of us have discussed this issue.
BBC: That wouldn't be your decision?
Diana: No, not mine.
BBC: Why? Wouldn't that solve your problems?
Diana: Why should this solve my problems?
BBC: Would this solve the problems discussed by the public, something that directly affected you?
Diana: Yes, but what about the children? Our boys are the most important thing, aren't they?
BBC: Have you ever thought about becoming queen?
Diana: No, I didn’t think so.
BBC: Why?
Diana: I would like to be the queen of people's hearts, in people's hearts. But I don't see myself as the queen of my country. I don't think many people would like to see me in this position. In reality, when I say "many people" I mean ruling society, which I entered because they think I'm a failure.
BBC: Why did you decide this?
Diana: Because I do different things, I don’t follow what is written, because I think with my heart and not with my head, this causes troubles at work. I understand that. But someone has to love people and help them.
BBC: Do you really think that your actions would prevent you from becoming queen?
Diana: I wouldn't say that. I had no idea that I had so many supporters in this environment.
BBC: You mean within the royal family?
Diana: They look at me as some kind of threat. I'm here to do good; I'm not a destroyer.
BBC: Why do they look at you as a threat?
Diana: I think every strong woman in history has gone through something like this. The reason is confusion and fear. What is her strength? Where does she get it from? Why do people support her?
BBC: Do you think the prince will be king?
Diana: I don't think anyone could answer this question. But obviously this question is on everyone’s mind. But who knows, who knows what fate will do, who knows how the circumstances will turn out.
BBC: But you know him better than anyone. Do you think he dreams of becoming a king?
Diana: This is always a very thorny issue when we discuss it. This is a very responsible role - to be a prince, but equally more to be a king. When you are a prince you have more freedom, when you are a king you are a little stifled. And knowing him, knowing what restrictions he will be subject to, I’m not sure whether he will be able to get used to this role.
BBC: Do you think that, in light of your family problems, the throne will pass directly into the hands of Prince William?
Diana: As you can see, William is still very young at at the moment. Is it worth burdening him with this? So I can't answer this question.
BBC: Would you rather see Prince William than Prince Charles on the royal throne?
Diana: My dream is for my husband to come to his senses, and everything else will follow from this, yes.
BBC: Why did you decide to give the interview now? Why did you decide to speak up?
Diana: Because this December it will be three years since we broke up. These last three years have confused and worried me, and I'm sure many many people don't trust me. I want to reassure all those people who have loved and supported me over the past fifteen years that I will never let them die. This is the main thing for me, along with my children.
BBC: And you think you can convince people?
Diana: What matters to me is just a person on the street, middle class. He is the most important.
BBC: Some people will interpret your speech as simply an opportunity to get your husband back.
Diana: Sitting here, I don't feel resentment: I sit here with sadness that my marriage didn't work. I am here because I hope for the future, for the future for my husband, for myself, for the entire monarchy.
BBC: Thank you, Your Highness.
Translation by Irina Bagaeva June 22, 2015, 11:51

As always, instead of studying for exams...

Wedding ceremony of Prince Charles of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer on July 29, 1981

Live broadcast. If we abstract from future fate getting married, the wedding looks fabulous, for William and Kate 30 years later everything was much more modest (taxpayers watch out). The carriages and outfits of the guests are gorgeous. Diana is young, shy and beautiful, and even her huge dress looks appropriate for St. Paul's Cathedral and her wedding to the Prince of Wales. But to be honest, even Prince Charles himself looks quite good interesting man:)). One thing is not clear why, during the famous greeting from the balcony Buckingham Palace Does the royal family have to go back and forth all the time? They'll go out, they'll come in, they'll close the doors, they'll open the doors, they'll go out, they'll come in. Probably 5 times in a row. Either they all don’t fit on the balcony, or they have such traditions, or they want to tease the crowd...

After last time Diana and Charles left the balcony, the huge glass doors behind which they had disappeared began to open again. The crowd clapped and whistled, but one of the employees slammed it down. A symbolic moment: the royal family shows only what is allowed to be seen.

Princess Diana: Her True Story

I can’t say about the truthfulness, but there are many controversial and strange moments in the film, perhaps even too many.

1. Judging by the script, there is no doubt that Diana knew about Prince Charles's relationship with Camilla. At least during the period of their relationship before the wedding, the name “Camilla” is pronounced in the film every 2 minutes and begins to get a little boring.

2. Camilla herself. It is unknown whether she was actually rude to Diana in the way that is demonstrated in the script, but Mrs. Parker-Bowles's appearance and behavior are puzzling. Camilla appears as a kind of vamp woman, always with hair and makeup, shooting her eyes from right to left, elegantly walking in rubber boots along Highgrove, and sitting invitingly in the saddle.

3. In general, everyone in the film behaves quite strangely. Charles appears to be on antidepressants and extremely depressed. Diana mostly giggles stupidly before the wedding, and after the wedding she regularly yells at her husband. He listens to everything steadfastly and silently, repeats like a mantra: “Camilla and I are just friends,” and answers his wife by shouting only a couple of times. As a rule, in the next scene together, the spouses talk as if nothing had happened. Sometimes, somehow, they even sleep in the same bed, although no reconciliation scenes are shown.

4. Diana often drinks, flirts with other men (in almost any society), and stays late at parties. One morning after a stormy night, she drives her car into Hargrove straight to the garden bed where Charles is flying something. Charles just sighs and continues to weed (!).

5. The Queen communicates with Charles exclusively in the style: “If you close the window, I will hand over the throne to you. Well done. No, I changed my mind, you closed it incorrectly, how can I hand over the country to you when you can’t close the window properly? More mother with they don’t talk about anything to their son, only about succession to the throne.

Diana: A Love Story

This is an attempt to tighten up the typical Hollywood love story of a girl from high society and poor but honest young man for real people. Not very successful in my opinion. The mere fact that Princess Diana calmly ran unrecognized in tears and torn tights through the deserted night streets of 8 million London looks unlikely.

Royal romance Prince Charles and Diana

Filmed a year after their wedding and personally approved by Diana. The costumes are maintained in every detail, the film has a lot of chronicle shots and everything is as fabulous as it should be and as it never actually was. Charles is too good-looking, in love and caring, Diana is so perfect and sweet with journalists and photographers that it is unclear why she suddenly starts crying at a polo game when she is surrounded by the press.

Diana: last days princesses

Not a bad film overall, but it's more about the hard work of bodyguards and newspaper sales than about the princess. The moment when the soft and sweet Diana loses her temper and declares something like: “I don’t send servants for gifts, but I go for them myself. I’m not Charles” is a little jarring to hear. It’s clear that the creators want to show off facts, but it looks a bit rude.

Queen

The film is good, but the best thing about it is Helen Mirren's performance. Honestly, after the film I saw an interview with Helen and was shocked when I saw a completely different person - a nimble, lively emotional woman, not at all the same as she was in the role of Elizabeth. This is where I realized what it was like to constantly look at Hollywood actresses playing themselves from film to film.

The film itself is, of course, a great, great flattery to Elizabeth II and Tony Blair. It is undeniable that the queen is exactly the “Queen” - persistent, devoted to her duty and loving her grandchildren, but also very domineering, tough, and sometimes cruel woman. Which is wisely left out of the script.

Princess Diana's Jewels

The history of famous jewelry: tiara, strings of pearls, sapphires framed with diamonds as a gift for the wedding with Charles from the prince Saudi Arabia, jewelry from the queen's vault, etc., in which Lady Diana appeared at official events.

Reinviting the royals

A two-part BBC film about the relationship between the royal family and the press. The first part is the crisis associated with tragic death Diana, the desire of the royal family to protect their privacy and Charles' attempts to restore his reputation. The second is the “thaw” associated with the emergence of the younger generation of Windsors.

An interesting film, you can find out a lot of details that were not covered in our press (or I missed it). The first is the embarrassment at the press conference of the princes (Charles and sons) at the ski resort, just before the wedding with Camilla. The journalist asked William and Harry how they felt about the upcoming marriage, at which time Charles leaned over and muttered under his breath: “Bloody people. I can’t bear that man. I mean, he’s so awful, he really is.”

(Disgusting people. I can't stand this man. He's terrible) The cameras and microphones were on.

The second episode is no longer attractive to TV people. Announcement of the transfer. Anna Leibovitz takes a photograph of Queen Elizabeth. Leibovitz looks into the camera and addresses the queen: "I think it will look better without the crown because the garter robe is so..." (I think we should try without the crown, because the garter robe is too...) Before that , as the photographer could finish the word "extraordinary", the queen looked at her sternly and replied: "Less dressy, what do you think this is?" (Less dressy, do you think?), pointing to what she was wearing . The BBC then showed a clip of the Queen walking quickly down a corridor and saying "I"m not changing anything. I "ve had enough dressing like this, thank you very much." (I wouldn't change a thing. I've been wearing this long enough, thank you very much). It looks as if, after Leibovitz's words, the queen flared up and slammed the door. Later, the BBC management apologized and admitted that the episode in the corridor was filmed before the photograph was taken, Elizabeth's line referred to the heaviness of the gold-embroidered robe, and the Queen was in a hurry towards the photographer, and not away from her. A show is a show.

"The same thing" Diana's interview with the BBC

The interview is truly shocking, it is 1995, and despite living separately from her husband, Diana at that time is still officially married, bears the title of Princess of Wales and is a member of the royal family. Over the past 20 years, the public has seen a lot of things, and even more scandalous story unsuccessful marriage of a princess with the prefix “pop” - Britney Spears, and got used to naked royal butts, which no, no, flashed in photographs in the media, and at that time such frankness from the hypothetical Queen of Great Britain had the effect of an exploding bomb. It’s sad and bitter to listen to how the young and beautiful princess tells how she wounded her legs and arms, how she felt her husband’s betrayal, how Charles’s friends suggested locking her in Kensington and not letting her out... At the same time, you think, did Diana feel any better about it? all these revelations? Despite the whole nightmare of the “royal marriage,” the princess repeats like a mantra: “I don’t want to get a divorce, I want to continue fulfilling my duties. My main goal is to earn the love of the masses of people and make them happy.” And in general, Lady Diana coped with this task perfectly all her life, but at too high a cost. And you can’t help but think, maybe it’s better not to be the most discussed, photographed and adored woman in the world, but simply alive and happy...

P.s. " There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamed of in your philosophy."

William Shakespeare.

(There are many things in the world, friend Horatio, that a person is not supposed to know (free translation))

In 1981, the whole world rejoiced when the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, finally found the lady of his heart and married her. It seemed that Diana Spencer, a representative of a noble family, was perfect couple for the future king.

But was everything really as smooth as it seemed to the average person? Ten years later, the Princess of Wales decided to tell the whole truth about the terrible marriage she was in. The tragedy was that she was deeply unhappy from the first days of her marriage.

In 1991, when trust between the spouses could no longer be restored, Diana decided to give frank interview to a close friend And famous journalist Andrew Morton. The recordings of the conversation with the princess formed the basis of the scandalous biography “Diana. Her true story."

Morton kept his word to Diana by not releasing the tapes. They remained untouched until the death of the princess in 1997. Then horrific details The life of a representative of the royal family became public knowledge and a nightmare for the residents of Buckingham Palace.

Difficulties in family life began from the first days of the newlyweds' honeymoon. At Prince Charles's discretion, the couple traveled to the family estate of Lord Mountbatten, Prince Philip's late uncle, Broadlands. The gloomy building became home to the once vivacious Diana in her early days as a wife.

“You know, it was terrible. All my hopes for a happy family life collapsed in just a couple of days. When we arrived at Broadlands, Charles had been sent seven new books by Laurens van der Post (the South African philosopher and explorer) that he had not yet read. Every single day he read them out loud and forced me to analyze what I heard,” Diana recalled.

After painful days spent imprisoned in an ancient estate, the couple set off on a journey on the royal yacht. The second part of the honeymoon promised to be at least a little better, but that was not the case.

It was here that most of the photos were taken, which described the royal couple's honeymoon as a kind of fairy tale. These days became the worst in her life for Diana: she experienced the strongest nervous breakdowns, which almost undermined her health.

“There were a huge number of guests from high society on the yacht. 21 officers and 256 nobles. It was necessary to comply with the dress code: evening dresses and tailcoats. Every evening a military band played, and at every dinner I had to accompany my husband and entertain the guests. I didn’t have a moment of peace, I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to cope with all this.

In those days, I could no longer control myself. Attacks of uncontrollable aggression overtook me 4 times a day. After them I was terribly hungry, and as soon as I tried to have a snack, I felt sick. I cried my eyes out during this honeymoon. Everything was going wrong, and I was terribly tired of it.

From the yacht we went to Balmoral, where I was tormented by nightmares every day. In addition, I saw Camila everywhere, I constantly thought that Charles was calling her every 5 minutes and discussing me. I was getting worse and worse.

Charles wanted to go for walks all the time; he loved walking in the vicinity of the palace. For him, his greatest pleasure was viewing the surroundings from the top of the highest hill in Balmoral and reading the books of Laurens van der Post or Carl Jung. I had to do this too, but such rest only tired me psychologically.

Despite this, we climbed the hill, where I longingly embroidered my tapestry. Charles, on the contrary, was simply happy - our communication seemed so wonderful to him.

For Charles, I was always in third place. He adored his mother and grandmother. When we were in the same room, he always immediately turned to the queen: “Mom, would you like a drink?” - then: “Grandma, what about you?” - and only then he turned to me: “Darling, will you be there?”

My grandmother, Lady Fermoy, told me before the wedding: “Darling, the way of life and humor of these people is completely different. I don’t think this kind of life suits you.” It was a blow to her that I didn’t invite her to the wedding.

We had to stay at Balmoral from August to October. I constantly had thoughts of suicide, I even tried to open my veins with a blade. It was raining continuously all the time, and it only made me feel worse. In the end they even told me: “You look very bad. Your bones are sticking out."

It often happens that a fairy tale turns out to be a lie. How many girls on the planet dream of marrying a prince? Only none of them even realizes how difficult it is mentally and physically to be a princess.

For example, letters that Charles wrote to the wife of American President Nancy Reagan were recently discovered - in them he described the difficult relationship with his wife. This time, the world is discussing secret audio recordings in which Diana admitted that a few weeks after the wedding she wanted to commit suicide.

The audio recordings were made public by writer Andrew Morton, author of the book “Diana. Her true story“- and although the book really became sensational in its time, it turned out that this was not all the details from the life of the princess, so the manuscript was republished with new details. Diana made audio recordings on tape and shared her most intimate things, and later handed them over to Andrew with a request to keep everything secret until the right moment came.

“We got married on Wednesday. And on Monday (July 27, 1981) we headed to St. Paul for our final ceremony rehearsal. And when there were more camera flashes, I realized what a day it would be. I cried my eyes out. I was completely crushed. Throughout the engagement, Camilla's shadow appeared. I desperately tried to understand the situation, but I had no reason to do so, and I could not talk to anyone,” the princess shared, recalling how she was afraid that Charles’s mistress Camilla Parker Bowles will destroy their marriage.

“I remember how tired my husband was. We're both tired. “It was a big day,” Diana added and also said that on the eve of the wedding, Charles sent her a card in which he wrote that he was proud of her.

“When I walked to the altar, I looked for her (Camilla) with my eyes. I remember being so in love with my husband that I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I thought I was the best happy girl in the world,” said the princess.

Diana also shared that she suffered seriously during preparation for the ceremony and after. bulimia and was completely obsessed with Camilla, not trusting Charles. “I thought he was calling her every five minutes and asking her how to cope with this marriage,” she says.

From August to October 1981, she and her husband remained at Balmoral - during this time the princess fell into a period of depression. “I was terribly thin. I was so depressed that I tried to take my own life.”

Because of this condition, the princess had a very difficult time with her first pregnancy, and doctors even advised her to have an abortion, but Diana refused, although after the birth of William she emotional state worsened. "When the Queen first saw William“, looking into the incubator, she said: it’s good that he doesn’t have the same ears as his father,” Diana added.