The Windsor Knot: Charles, Camilla and the Legacy of Diana

by Christopher Wilson

Theirs was a relationship that rocked the British monarchy. Even after the death of Princess Diana, the steadfast love between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles continues to fascinate us. In The Windsor Knot, one of Fleet Street's most experienced journalists gives you an inside look at one of the most infamous love triangles in history. Branded as "the other woman" Camilla still shoulders the blame for the failure of Charles and Diana's "fairytale" marriage -- despite the fact that an apparent truce was made between mistress and princess in the last year of Diana's life. Now, locked in a perpetual struggle to gain acceptance from the British public -- and, more importantly, from the Royal Family -- Charles and Camilla persevere. Tracing more than three decades of love, passion, and deception, The Windsor Knot ties up all the loose ends of a liaison hidden in plain sight. The Palace won't speak of it, but Christopher Wilson tells all.

Genres: Royalty, Biography, Nonfiction, British Literature

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

For 20 years a leading Fleet Street journalist with columns in The Times, Sunday Telegraph, Daily Express and Today, he is now a best-selling author whose seminal biography of Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, is the acknowledged source material for all other books and TV films on the subject. The book, A Greater Love - Charles and Camilla, was turned into a top-rated TV documentary screened in the USA, UK, and 26 other countries around the world.

He is a regular contributor to TV debates and documentaries on the British royals, and he lectures widely on the subject. Currently writing a biography of the Queen’s uncle – Prince George, Duke of Kent (1902-42) – his other books include:-

The Windsor Knot (2003/4/5) – the most comprehensive and authoritative account yet of the Diana/Charles/Camilla triangle. Published in North and South America, Spain, Germany, France and Japan.

Dancing With The Devil (2001) – the unknown story of the Duchess of Windsor’s love affair with gay Woolworth heir Jimmy Donahue. Currently in development as a stage musical.

A Greater Love - Charles and Camilla (1999) - the first fully-detailed account of the love affair between the royal lovers, and an authoritative biography of the hitherto-unknown Camilla Parker Bowles.

Fergie - Her Secret Life (1996) – the inside story of Sarah, Duchess of York’s love affair with Texan businessman John Bryan, and how she reinvented herself as an American icon after her divorce from the Queen’s second son (co-author Dr Allan Starkie).

Diana v Charles (1994) – the extraordinary account of how the royal couple were bugged by security services during the breakdown of their marriage (co-author James Whitaker).

In addition his other books include the highly acclaimed Absolutely Goldie (2000) which remains, despite the Oscar-winning actress’s own autobiography, the only full account of her extraordinary life; Around The World in 80 Years (2003), a biography of the Swedish shipping mogul Arne Larsson; and By Invitation Only, a satire on London society life in the Eighties.

Christopher Wilson is the co-founder of Oxford University’s journalism awards, and for his work in support of student journalism he was elected a member of the Senior Common Room at St Edmund Hall, Oxford’s oldest college. He lives near London.

(source: http://www.christopherwilson.info)

Reviews

[Diane Funk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book, though slightly slanted to present Prince Charles in a more positive light, than the one presented by Princess Diana. In the end it portrays Camilla Parker-Bowles as the villian in the situation of the break up of Charles and Diana's marriage. It protrays Charles as the victim, unconvincingly, in this unhappy situation. The book did help me form a more rounded view of the relationship between the 3 individuals. Having read the book authorized by Princess Diana, I realized that the situation was being portrayed to a certain extent from the viewpoint of only one of the participants. One justifiably hurt by the relationship of her husband and his lover. This book allows the reader insight into the rigidity of the rules restricting life among the royal society. It appears Camilla wanted to have her cake and eat it to; because of decisions she had made in her life, prior to meeting Charles, she had rendered herself an unsuitable bride for the a future king. Despite this it appears she plotted to establish herself as a respectable married woman while maintaining a love affair with a man she could never marry. It was a little slow at times, but generally an enjoyable read. I now feel I have a general feel for two of the participants; but as the book hints, it leaves the reader wanting to know more about this person Camilla Parker-Bowles and what was going on in her camp that lead to this tragedy. It does not sound though that we will ever get to know her side of the story.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book — more information than previously released about this love triangle. However, the book was rife with typos. It needs a good editing.

[Thea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles and Camilla will shamelessly bring down the house of Windsor!

Without question, Prince Charles and his "bitch" in heat, the NOW Duchess of Cornwall have neither the character or integrity to succeed to the throne of England. They are a complete embarrassment to the Queen and the people of England. What they did to Princess Diana was appalling. In fact, my opinion of the Queen in allowing her heir to sexually cavort with a woman who obviously had a plan to "marry up", sooner or later!! Perhaps, old Camilla, knew Diana wouldn't be around much longer????
Speaking of OLD, Charles must be on an IV drip of Viagra, and Camilla (who is older than "her honey bunny") must buy KY jelly by the pound!!

The book has its high points, and, let's out some facts about the "The Firm" that make one wonder what really does go on behind place walls. Selling wedding gifts and burning what t
they didn't like?? They
they could have given them to second hand shops, anonymously! I think the book gives a pretty good idea of just how sleazy the Prince of Wales and his Duchess of Cornwall really are. Camilla broke up Diana's marriage in the most crude and obnoxious way possible.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sad, sad story. After reading this book, I absolutely have no respect for the Prince of Wales or his mistress Camilla. As Diana once said, "There were always three of us in this marriage," and I certainly think that statement was true. I'm sure the author was biased towards Diana, but even though that may be true, I am sure her married life was virtually hell on earth. I read this book in one sitting.

[Marti]

Birthday gift from Mom.

[Rosemary Hazard · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of the better written, juicy sort of tabloid reads. You might find a couple of interesting items in it you never knew, but you're probably not going to advertise that you read it. I was one of the young, impressionable women who bought into the fairytale romance of Charles and Diana, getting up insanely early to watch coverage of the royal wedding, buying up magazines about her style and life, etc. When it all fell apart and it was revealed that it was all a bit of a sham, I admit that I felt used by Diana and Charles. How would things have been had Charles been allowed to marry Camilla? At the time, Camilla's racy-ish past was too scandalous for a future Queen but she seems to be his life's love, a supportive mate who would have buffeted his fragile self esteem as he waits in the wings for his time to be a King. But he married the young, virginal woman who was perfect on paper but had many of the same self esteem issues of her spouse, and that's not a good combination. Both were too moody and needy, neither could bridge the divide to the other for very long. Had they someone found a way to be supportive, they would have been a dynamite royal couple. The best thing to come out of their sad marriage were the two young princes. Readng this book will make you a bit sad, that one choice here and one choice there sent ripples across the water's surface that were still felt years later.

[Anthony L. Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed Account of the Royal Triangle

No matter what you think you know about the marriage of Charles to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, this author reveals more details than even the reader who may have read other accounts elsewhere knew. He tries to be fair in his tone to all parties involved. Readers from the UK will know more of the references than American readers, but it's an interesting addition to the many books about the royals.

[V A Hobbs · Rating 1 out of 5]

Journalistic tosh.

Read in 2019 , 7 years after this book was published, Mr Wilson was completely wrong on several points especially as now the lead characters are happily married with the Queen's approval and the public's. I note no references are cited, nor does he give the names of his sources and to me the book is just gossip and innuendo. Sorry, not my thing at all

[F. Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trivial stuff but a good read

Dianna was no Angel and I am sure living with her was not easy either. People put on the facade that they want you to see. Just as Dianna isn't a angel, on the other hand Charles wasn't a insensitive bore. The was older and more mature and brought up in a royal way.
Prince Charles and Camilla are on their way to 15 years of marriage.

[nancy kessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read,

Enjoyed the book. Charles simply did not appreciate Diana enough to give up Camilla. Camilla comes across to me as demanding always available to Charles conniving lazy. The boys have made their Mum proud and moved forward. Hard to put book down enjoyed.

[Darlena D Doak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair

As was expected this is a whitewash of Prince Charles and a slam to Diana. It would seem that there is a need to explain Prince Charles away for his actions. And a belief he has every right to be the horrible person that he is.

[Susan J. Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative to an extent

A well written account which stays at a distance from its subjects. Fair to all involved but the fatal accident is treated very sketchily.

[Esther H. Moon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tabloid trash.

[Savita Ramsumair · Rating 5 out of 5]

To the point

I love how the author have us the facts no matter how bitter they were. This book clearly shows that Princess Diana will forever love on in our hearts.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no idea why I bought this book, because I absolutely cannot stand that Camilla. At any rate, this is a pretty good look into the relationship of Prince Charles and Camilla. While I dislike that woman, I do not think she was entirely at fault for the failure of Charles and Diana's marriage. Charles and Camilla knew each other and had something going for a while before he decided to marry Diana. He got married for the wrong reasons, and was not interested in being a proper husband to her, because his interests lay elsewhere. It was a terrible situation, but the blame should not be places solely on Camilla's shoulders. Even if she is a distasteful person. The book was alright, certainly not my favorite.

[Deb Stratas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Diehard Diana fans won't like this treatment of the "3 of us in the marriage." It really strives to tell Camilla's side of the story, including talking about her past. If you'd like to know more about the woman that Prince Charles always loved, and who will undoubtedly one day be Queen of England, take a read of The Windsor Knot.

[Amy Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

More royal gossip. A little outdated, but a fun summer read.