Even at a distance of 25 years, it is a scarcely believable story. Hollywood producers would dismiss the script as much too far-fetched; a beautiful but desperate princess, an unknown writer, an amateur go-between and a book that would change the Princess’s life forever. Friends scenes go viral for going from funny to 'heartbreaking' in the wake of Matthew Perry's tragic death aged 54 At times she was amusingly animated, particularly when talking about her short life as a bachelor girl. She spoke wistfully about her romance with Prince Charles, sadly about her unhappy childhood and with some passion about the effect Camilla Parker Bowles had had on her life. Indeed, she was so anxious not to be seen as paranoid or foolish, as she had so often been told she was by her husband’s friends, that she showed us several letters and postcards from Mrs Parker Bowles to Prince Charles to prove that she was not imagining their relationship. As my interviews progressed, her friends and other acquaintances confirmed that behind the public smiles and glamorous image was a lonely and unhappy young woman who endured a loveless marriage, was seen as an outsider by the Queen and the rest of the royal family, and was frequently at odds with the aims and objectives of the royal system. Yet one of the heartening aspects of the story was how Diana was striving, with mixed success, to come to terms with her life, transforming from a victim to a woman in control of her destiny. It was a process which the Princess continued until the very end.

Andrew Morton Was James Colthurst real? What happened to the Andrew Morton

Valerie Bertinelli, 63, 'no longer counts calories' and 'won't deny' herself as she plugs cookbook... after losing 50lbs for bikini shoot 14 years ago Remember, this was the same woman who in 1987 had done more than anyone alive to remove the stigma surrounding the deadly Aids virus when she shook the hand of a terminally ill sufferer at London’s Middlesex Hospital. While she was not able to fully articulate it, Diana had a humanitarian vision for herself that transcended the dull, dutiful round of traditional royal engagements. Shortly before he died, the Princess sent her father a short note explaining why she had co-operated in a book about her life. Paris Hilton shows off her impressively toned legs in a bright pink dress while dressing up as Princess Peach for Halloween I hate not being able to tell you how much I love you,’ wrote Camilla, adding that she longed to be with Charles and was his for ever. I particularly remember one vivid passage that read: ‘My heart and body both ache for you.’

Share this article

Nathan Cleary's dating history: Everything we know about the NRL star's past relationships as he goes public with his Matildas star girlfriend Mary Fowler How do you explain bad news to your child? A psychotherapist reveals his 5 tips for helping them understand (and what to NEVER say) Lori Loughlin, 59, and her lookalike daughter Olivia Jade, 24, are the 'perfect pair' in new Steve Madden campaign...four years after college admissions scandal Jenny Powell, 55, strips down to a skimpy coral bikini as she braves a chilly ocean swim in Marbella

Andrew Morton: How I got the Diana tapes | Daily Mail Online Andrew Morton: How I got the Diana tapes | Daily Mail Online

Six months after the book’s June 1992 publication, Charles and Diana announced their separation—although Diana: Her True Story was, metaphorically, just one chapter in the messy split between the Waleses. In 1994 Charles admitted to adultery on television, and in 1995, Diana gave an explosive interview to Martin Bashir for the BBC current affairs program Panorama. (Later, it emerged Bashir manipulated the princess into doing so with a series of forged bank statements.) The first part of the book is direct transcripts of taped conversations with Diana. It's "in her own words", as the title states. Sadly there weren't many revelations there as I found I already knew much of it. That might not be the case for everyone though and I imagine at the time the book had a lot greater impact than it does these days. It's interesting that her words from 1991 now seem prophetic e.g. feeling that she'll never be Queen, a connection to France (where she died), and that she'd one day fall in love with a foreigner. All correct.Bobby Brazier and Strictly professional dance partnerDianne Buswell share a kiss after surviving another week of gruelling rehearsals Read More: The True Story Behind Martin Bashir’s Controversial BBC Panorama Interview With Princess Diana on The Crown Do you think that encouraging Diana to record those tapes was the right thing to do?