Queen’s aide claims Prince Charles and Princess Diana ‘couldn’t keep their hands off each other’ as he disagrees with The Crown
'There was genuine love'
Dickie Arbiter, former long standing Press Secretary to the Queen, has criticised The Crown’s portrayal of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s relationship.
- Dickie Arbiter recalled when the couple ‘couldn’t keep their hands off each other’ during a royal tour with them just after they got married in 1981
- Speaking on The Royal Beat, he said there was ‘genuine love and happiness’ there, despite Netflix’s The Crown suggesting otherwise
- This story follows the royal news that the Duchess Catherine warned of 'lockdown loneliness'
Royal expert and former Press Secretary to the Queen has publicly disagreed with The Crown’s depiction of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s relationship in season 4.
The show has hit headlines since it was released over the negative portrayal of the Prince of Wales’ relationship with the late Princess, before she tragically passed away in 1997.
And now, Dickie Arbiter - long standing former Press Secretary to the Queen - has called the Netflix show a “load of claptrap” and poured cold water over rumours that’s how their relationship really was.
Princess Diana and Prince Charles books that are on sale during Black Friday weekend
The Crown: The Official History Behind the Hit Netflix Series: £20 £14.95 | Amazon Save £5.05 For those currently obsessed with season 4 (or 1,2, or 3) of The Crown, this is the ideal Christmas present! Written by the show's historical consultant Robert Lacey, readers are taken through the real royal history that inspired the drama we see on our TV screens. And it's now £5 off on Amazon.
Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life: £15.50 £13.55 | Amazon Save £2 This illuminating biography from royal commentator Sally Bedell Smith shines a light on our future King, and includes interviews with palace officials, former girlfriends, spiritual gurus, and more, some speaking on the record for the first time.
Speaking on True Royalty TV’s weekly programme, The Royal Beat, Dickie recalled being on tour with the couple shortly after they married in 1981.
“I remember going on tour just after they got married in 1981 and she was the first Princess of Wales in about 80 years, so it was a big deal.
“They couldn’t keep their hands off each other! Charles used to pat her bum regularly! There were times when he would even squeeze it, even in Australia.
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“There was a relationship there from the beginning. There was genuine love and happiness there.”
He’s not the first one to point out that The Crown is fiction, not history - a fear recently expressed by Princess Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, who also revealed he refused The Crown from filming at his home.
The Princess of Wales’ brother, Charles Spencer, condemned the latest series of The Crown’s depiction of his sister and told Alan Titchmarsh he feels “uneasy” watching the series.
“The worry for me is that people see a programme like that and they forget that it is fiction. They assume, especially foreigners…
“I find Americans tell me they have watched The Crown as if they have taken a history lesson. Well, they haven't.”
The Royal Beat is available on True Royalty TV
Get the Look: shop these iconic Princess Diana style favourites
Milburn Waxed Cotton Jacket |£260 £182 (save £78) | Liberty London
This jacket looks just like the one worn by Princess Diana. What's more, this piece features all the Barbour trademarks: tartan lining, corduroy collar and branded hardware.
Hunter Women’s Original Tall Wellington | was £95 now £76 (20% off save £19)
Princess Diana frequently wore Hunter wellies. This shade isn't an exact match but it is close (plus it's in the sale).
Off shoulder black dress | £45 SilkFred
Diana wore this black frock that became known as "the revenge dress" in the summer of 1994. This piece available on Silk Fred is more flattering, but has the off shoulder sleeves and plunge neckline.
Georgia writes across Woman & Home and Good to Know and specialises in all things royal. Previously labelled the "Queen of the royals," Georgia knows the whose who and what's what when it comes to the monarchy. When she's not eagerly following the royal family, Georgia enjoys shopping and self-care. She lives with this motto in mind; "if your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough."
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