In 2014, a seemingly innocuous comment by Prince Charles reignited painful memories for those close to the late Princess Diana. As Kate Middleton was expecting her second child, Prince Charles expressed a hopeful sentiment to a well-wisher in London, saying, “I hope it will be a girl this time,” according to the Daily Mail. For many, this remark echoed a bitter moment from the past, marking a significant point of no return in the troubled marriage between Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales.
The Unveiling of Hidden Secrets: Prince Charles
In the 25 years since Princess Diana’s tragic death, numerous secrets about her marriage to Prince Charles have come to light. One particularly poignant revelation was shared by Diana herself to her biographer, Andrew Morton, in his 1992 book, “Diana: Her True Story.” While this detail received limited public attention at the time, it resurfaced during the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015 and again when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle started their family. The comment highlighted by Diana provided a glimpse into the complexities and tensions that plagued her relationship with Charles.
The Devastating Comment
When Diana was pregnant with Prince Harry, Charles had been desperately hoping for a baby girl. Upon Harry’s birth, Charles’s first comment struck Diana deeply: “Oh God, it’s a boy.” Although Charles later dismissed the remark as a joke, it left a lasting impact on Diana, who was already struggling within their marriage. Prior to Harry’s birth, the couple had been working on their relationship, growing closer during those weeks. Diana, aware of Charles’s preference for a daughter, chose to withhold the news that she was carrying a boy, hoping the birth of a healthy son would bring them joy.
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An Insensitive Follow-Up
The hurt did not end with Charles’s initial comment. He followed it up with another offhand remark: “And he’s even got red hair.” This comment was particularly cutting for Diana, whose family tree was filled with redheads. It also touched a sensitive nerve, as Diana had previously had an extramarital affair with James Hewitt, a redhead. Although the affair had ended two years prior and Hewitt couldn’t have been Harry’s father, the implication stung Diana deeply.
The Pain of Childbirth and Loss
Diana’s pain was compounded by the physical and emotional toll she had endured. She had gone through nine hours of natural childbirth and had previously suffered a miscarriage before becoming pregnant with Harry. Charles’s remarks, therefore, were not just thoughtless; they came at a time when Diana was particularly vulnerable.
A Comment at the Christening
Charles’s insensitivity continued even at Prince Harry’s christening. He remarked to Diana’s mother, Frances Kydd, “We were so disappointed—we thought it would be a girl.” This comment angered Kydd, who relayed it to Diana, further deepening her sense of betrayal and hurt.
The Breaking Point
For Diana, these comments represented more than mere thoughtlessness; they symbolized a deeper disconnect in their marriage. “Something inside me closed off,” Diana confided to Morton. “As suddenly as Harry was born, it just went bang, our marriage—the whole thing went down the drain.” Although the couple remained married for another 12 years, officially divorcing in 1996, the damage was irreparable from that moment on.
Legacy of a Troubled Union
The marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana remains one of the most scrutinized relationships in modern history. The revelations about their troubled union continue to evoke sympathy and understanding for Diana’s struggles. As the public reflects on these painful memories, the story serves as a reminder of the complexities and personal challenges that lie behind the facade of royal life.
H/t Reader’s Digest
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