In the week where her brother Earl Spencer's controversial memoir sparked a royal war of words, the late Diana, Princess of Wales was remembered at a live recording of HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast earlier this week.
More than 60 guests gathered inside the newly renovated Mayfair restaurant Quaglino's – where Diana would often dine – to hear the royal author Ingrid Seward be interviewed by our in-house experts and hosts of A Right Royal Podcast, Emily Nash, Emmy Griffiths and Andrea Caamaño.
Revealing tantalising details about the life of the late Princess one day before her latest book, Catherine & Diana, was published, the author – who was in touch with Diana right up until her death in August 1997 – recalled how the Princess had spoken about the deep love she and the then-Prince Charles had shared.
Scroll down to watch the podcast episode.
Unheard anecdotes about Diana
"I was very lucky to see Diana shortly before she died and she actually told me that she really loved Charles," Ingrid told the audience. "He was the one she would always love and he was the one that got away.
"She said: 'It's very important to me, Ingrid, that my boys know that their father loved me. Of course the world won't know because they won't see the letters that we wrote to each other.'
"Charles wrote her the most beautiful love letters in which he praised her and talked about her in the most loving way. He did love her. He may not have loved her in the very beginning and he may not have loved her by the end, but he always loved her and he felt so bad that he couldn't make the marriage work."
Ingrid added: "They were just not suited at the time, but Diana also told me she thought that if they'd met when they were older, they probably would have made it work and conquered the world."
© Alex Ingram
© Alex IngramControversial comment that Diana would be 'forgotten'
The author said the incendiary new claim in Charles Spencer's book, Swan Song – which was published earlier this week – which alleged that Prince Charles said "We'll forget her soon enough" of Diana shortly after her death may have been nowhere near as harsh as it was made out to be. The claim was swiftly responded to by Buckingham Palace, who said that the King was "mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason".
"I think there's an element of truth in what he said, but I think it was totally taken out of context," Ingrid said. "The two men were having a furious row, about whether the boys should walk behind Diana's coffin, and Charles Spencer said it was not going to happen. And then Prince Charles might have said something like: 'For goodness' sake, they have to do this because people are going to forget about her soon enough!'
"[But] he was worried that Diana's image would not last, and he wanted the boys to be there because he thought when they grew up they would regret that they hadn't done it."
© Alex Ingram
© Alex IngramShe added: "I think it was a despicable thing for Spencer to do, to even put this in his book. I think it was a very cruel and unnecessary thing to say, and he shouldn't have done it. I would think that William and Harry would be absolutely horrified that their uncle should say something like that about their father and I would think that Charles [Spencer]'s two sisters would be as well.
"And as for Diana, it's the last thing in the world she would ever want, for anyone to put her husband down. She could, but no one else could."
What Kate and Diana have in common
Ingrid also treated the audience to a sneak preview of her new book, reading out the introduction which explained what Kate, the current Princess of Wales, had in common with her late mother-in-law, who died before she met and fell in love with Prince William.
"Both fashion icons, both beauties in their different styles, both, when they married, counted among the most famous women on the planet," Ingrid said. "They could not be further apart in background, temperament, character or even looks, yet the world did and does adore them both.
"Being a Princess of Wales is not just about acting as a decorative accessory. The title and rank can be a force for good, employed by both Diana and Catherine to champion big issues, using their celebrity to shine a light on often overlooked but critical challenges ranging from AIDS and landmines to mental health and supporting vulnerable children."
© Alex IngramDuring the interview, Ingrid expanded on what the two women might have had in common. "Well, they both love fashion. When I first met Catherine, it was at a polo match and they had all these beautiful clothes for sale and she was really digging into those. She and Diana both loved clothes and they both looked completely stunning in them, but I think probably their main link would have been children.
"They both absolutely had [and have] a magic with children and I think they would have talked about that. Diana's legacy is her sons and the way she changed the face of royal engagements, and Catherine has completely taken up the mantle [on that]."
Book signing
After the interview, guests were invited to ask their burning royal-related questions in our Q&A, followed by a book signing with Ingrid.
Ingrid's book had not yet hit stores, so those of us who were in the room were some of the first people to see it, plus enjoy a reading by the author herself.
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© Alex IngramWelcome drinks, canapés, and luxury goodie bags
Before sitting down to listen to never-heard-before anecdotes about the two Princesses, HELLO!'s guests were welcomed with Mezcal Reina cocktails, Brockmans gin and tonics, REAL sparkling tea and delicious canapes, before heading down Quaglino's iconic staircase to take their seats for the recording.
Each attendee left with a goodie bag filled with luxury products from Ilapothecary, Strip, Olverum, Laura Ashley, Aroma-Zone, Floral Street and The Organic Pharmacy.
© Alex Ingram
© Alex Ingram
© Alex IngramHow to watch the episode
If you missed out on this event but would like to listen to the full podcast recording and experience it as if you were in the room with us, sign up to HELLO! VIP.
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Here's a ten-minute teaser to whet your appetite:
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