Leaked Photo of Charles Getting Touchy With Diana Had The Queen Calling an Emergency Meeting
Queen Elizabeth II was known for her strict public etiquette and royal decorum. Her photos with her husband, Prince Philip, were always poised and restrained. Hence, when risqué pictures of Prince Charles ‘fondling’ Princess Diana were leaked to the press, she was left ‘horrified.’ The Queen held an emergency meeting at Buckingham Palace to address the media frenzy.
In 1982, newlyweds Prince Charles and Princess Diana flew to the Bahamas for a private getaway. Joined by friends Lord and Lady Romsey, they stayed at Countess Mountbatten’s secluded cottage on Windermere Island. Unfortunately, their quiet vacation turned into a nightmare when royal photographer, Arthur Edwards, secretly photographed Charles groping Diana. The Princess of Wales was caught smiling beachside as she rested her leg on Charles. The photos were leaked to the press, sending the Queen into a panic. The late Queen called for an emergency meeting with all the national editors at Buckingham Palace to address the gross violation of privacy. Royal correspondent, Ingrid Seward, shared, “The Queen was very annoyed and horrified about this…She said, ‘You simply have to leave the Princess of Wales alone.”
16 February 1982: Prince Charles & Princess Diana make a brief stopover in Nassau, Bahamas on their way to Windermere Island, Eleuthera for a 10 day holiday pic.twitter.com/wMdmWsitdl
— ALL PRINCESS DIANA (@princessdibooks) February 16, 2023
Edwards, who took the risqué photo, participated in the 2019 documentary Royal Baby. As reported by the Express, he admitted, “Charles and Diana were going off to the Bahamas on vacation, and I said, ‘Yes, let’s go!’ We were, of course, hidden in the bushes, and I captured these pictures of Diana pregnant in a bikini on the beach with the Prince of Wales.” The photo was deemed in poor taste as Diana was pregnant with William at the time. Edwards later acknowledged the backlash and stated, “There was a massive row here and in the House of Commons. Questions were raised." The scandal quickly sparked a public outcry, with discussions spilling over into the House of Commons.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana on vacation in Bahamas, 1982. pic.twitter.com/hc5czgYOJI
— History Photographed (@HistoryInPics) September 27, 2015
Fast forward to 2012, and Diana’s daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, found herself unfortunately sailing in the same boat. Topless photos of the now-Princess of Wales were published by French magazine Closer while she was vacationing with Prince William. The long ensuing legal battle won the Princess $120,000 in damages. William’s lawyer said that the Prince found the disgusting invasion of privacy 'particularly shocking' considering his mother's battles with paparazzi.
William and Prince Harry, deeply affected by the media's treatment of his late mother, have become fierce defenders of privacy. They have issued legal warnings and pursued actions against any publication that has crossed the line. Edwards later regretted his actions and said, “I probably wouldn’t do it again, not anymore. Well, also now, Will would sue you.” Harry has gone through his own share of media attacks when it came to his wife, Meghan Markle. The couple was constantly hounded by paparazzi, with every aspect of their lives scrutinized. The constant media frenzy became unbearable, pushing them to step back from all royal duties in February 2020.