Queen Elizabeth Was Left "Furious" by Princess Diana Over a Private Dispute
This reported instance throws light on Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana’s relationship.
Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth have always been two of the most iconic women in the Royal Family. Their influence has endured long after their deaths, and royal watchers continue to hold both in high regard. Unfortunately, these two legendary figures were once reportedly furious at each other over a private matter before Diana and King Charles’ divorce, which was one of the messiest and most difficult chapters for the monarchy. This incident was disclosed by royal expert and the editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, Ingrid Seward, who opened up about their relationship in an article for The Daily Mail.
According to the article, Charles and Diana officially separated due to irreconcilable differences in 1992. However, they initially stopped short of filing for divorce. Matters remained in limbo until Diana gave her unexpected bombshell BBC Panorama interview in November 1995. The broadcast prompted the Queen to step in and push for a definitive resolution, writing to both Charles and Diana to advise that they finalize a divorce. The couple’s divorce was legally finalized on August 28, 1996, just a year before Diana’s tragic passing in Paris.
Just before the separation moved forward, the Queen reportedly had a private conversation with her daughter-in-law. Detailing this moment, Seward explained, “The discussions were supposed to be private, but immediately afterwards Diana issued a statement saying she had agreed to the divorce, that she would continue to be involved in all decisions pertaining to Prince William and Prince Harry—and that, under pressure, she would be giving up her HRH.” The move left the Queen furious, leading her to release a statement to counter Diana’s unauthorized announcement.
Seward explained this by adding, “The Queen was furious at Diana leaking details of their private conversation, so much so that she hit back and immediately countered with a statement of her own. Her press secretary, Charles Anson, announced, ‘The decision to drop the title is the princess’s and the princess’s alone. It is wrong that Queen Elizabeth or Prince Charles asked her. I can state categorically it is not true.’” However, it was made pretty clear that Diana apparently kept reiterating the fact that she was forced to drop it, even after the Queen’s reported statement. In fact, this also made Prince William promise his mother that he would give back her title to her someday, when he becomes the King. Discussing Diana’s reaction to this, Seward wrote, “The innocence of that undid her. She wept, knowing the gesture was both loving and futile.”
