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Diana vs. Charles: Royal Blood Feud
The explosive love story and full details behind Diana and Charles's relationship have never been revealed ... until now. Their breakup sent shock waves around the world, as growing suspicions were officially Their fairy-tale marriage was just that - a fairy tale. Not only was the lily-white veil stripped away from their private lives, but the British monarchy itself was suddenly under scathing scrutiny. After all the headlines, the whispers, the rumors, the damaging claims and counterclaims by intimate friends of each, the full inside story of Diana, Charles, and their doomed union is now revealed - by the one person uniquely qualified to tell the lurid and fascinating tale of royal romance, rivalry, and scandal.
James Whitaker is famous in England as the authority on the Royal Family - the only journalist to have had access to all the members of the House of Windsor for more than two decades of exclusive reportage. At the same time, he knew the teenage Lady Diana Spencer long before the royal wedding bells.
With vivid personality profiles of an awe-inspiring gallery of characters, with unblushing and authentic depictions of how the Royals live and love, with utter honesty about both the monarchy and the girl now exiled from its charmed circle, Diana vs. Charles offers the most staggering, far-reaching disclosures about the greatest personal crisis ever to shake the Royal Family.
James Whitaker is famous in England as the authority on the Royal Family - the only journalist to have had access to all the members of the House of Windsor for more than two decades of exclusive reportage. At the same time, he knew the teenage Lady Diana Spencer long before the royal wedding bells.
With vivid personality profiles of an awe-inspiring gallery of characters, with unblushing and authentic depictions of how the Royals live and love, with utter honesty about both the monarchy and the girl now exiled from its charmed circle, Diana vs. Charles offers the most staggering, far-reaching disclosures about the greatest personal crisis ever to shake the Royal Family.
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1993
117 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 1, 2021
Growing up with Diana, I couldn't help falling in love with her charms. She wasn't perfect. Sure...she manipulated photojournalists and the press when it was beneficial. Why not? Use what you've got in difficult circumstances. I begrudge her nothing. She was a beautiful soul. No one could possibly understand what Diana was up against - an entire establishment! Whitaker admired Diana and was there in the Coleherne Court days when the world was introduced to a fresh-faced teenager, a young woman ready to challenge the impossible. Unfortunately, we all know the horrific outcome. Reading this book brought her back to me for a moment, even if it was the annus horribilis for the Royals. In hindsight, the rivalry and tumultuous battle pack a punch. I wish things could have been different for everyone involved.
May 25, 2015
In my opinion, another must read concerning either Charles or Diana.
Most of his claims are now backed by other bios -- including his defence of Diana's mother. He's slightly pro-Diana but doesn't let that cloud his opinion of her either. He's actually very fair all around (a big plus in my book).
I cannot recommend this book enough to Royal watchers. It's easy to read and very informative.
Most of his claims are now backed by other bios -- including his defence of Diana's mother. He's slightly pro-Diana but doesn't let that cloud his opinion of her either. He's actually very fair all around (a big plus in my book).
I cannot recommend this book enough to Royal watchers. It's easy to read and very informative.
September 1, 2025
not given enough credits that it’s due
People with low stars are being overly emotional in the reviews I read. Now this book was written in 1993 and most of the predictions the author made were accurate and now in 2024 while we have Queen consort Camilla it is very interesting to read about her while she was actively enemy #1.
There is so much packed into 137 pages that it does take a little bit to read so you don’t miss anything. The author does not shy away for the manipulative manner that Diana had. And reading this the more I felt that Harry had indeed married a version of his mother. The difference is Diana was the first major icon of that level for the royal family in a way that upstaged everyone. And there will never be another Diana. But Meghan is trying to be another Diana and she is just as manipulative and tries to use the press in the same way but fails bc she just does not have the massive power behind her Diana had nor does she have the love of the British citizens. That needed to come with time and if she put in the time she may very well could have had that much power
People with low stars are being overly emotional in the reviews I read. Now this book was written in 1993 and most of the predictions the author made were accurate and now in 2024 while we have Queen consort Camilla it is very interesting to read about her while she was actively enemy #1.
There is so much packed into 137 pages that it does take a little bit to read so you don’t miss anything. The author does not shy away for the manipulative manner that Diana had. And reading this the more I felt that Harry had indeed married a version of his mother. The difference is Diana was the first major icon of that level for the royal family in a way that upstaged everyone. And there will never be another Diana. But Meghan is trying to be another Diana and she is just as manipulative and tries to use the press in the same way but fails bc she just does not have the massive power behind her Diana had nor does she have the love of the British citizens. That needed to come with time and if she put in the time she may very well could have had that much power
March 4, 2013
Though this book did give a very authentic look into Diana's life, it seemed a bit too gossipy to me. It truly did read like a tabloid, and seemed very invasive. I am left feeling a bit disgusted with Charles, and even more so after knowing the end of the story where Diana perishes and he continues on to marry his mistress. I was surprised Camilla was such a presence in their life even at that time (the supposed good years). Charles obviously does not know quality in a girl when he sees it.
May 31, 2025
This book amused me and probably not the way the author intended. Reading books about the royals from the 90s is always fascinating because despite all these so called experts a lot of them know nothing and a lot were bang on with what was going on. I'd be really interested to read current royal books 30 years from now to see what they got right or wrong.
But this book amused me because the author was so obviously manipulated by Diana and he was too stupid to realize it. He had his head up her ass and was blinded by her to a hilarious eye rolling extent. Both Charles and Diana were flawed people, both screwed up that marriage, both cheated I would argue Diana was worse by breaking up several marriages and relationships with her affairs, but Charles was equally bad because he was madly in love with his mistress which is tougher than just a few throw away affairs. I'm not sure how the author can talk about how sweet and innocent Diana was and then talk about how he talked on the phone with her daily and obvious manipulation tool to get him on her side, that she pushed her elderly step mother down a staircase and stepped over her injured body as if nothing happened. Then Charles who was getting hammered in the press as a bad father sets up a PR stunt of him greeting and hugging his boys and the author is extremely judgemental of him for it when Diana did it repeatedly. It's hard to take this book seriously because of that and because he talks about literally stalking her, spying on her through the bushes with his camera lens. He even spoke to friends who said she would never have a physical affair when it is now thought she cheated before Charles did. He let himself be manipulated and it clouded his judgment and basically it showed in this book. It made Charles look like an evil bafoon while sweet innocent Diana is a saint. It plays into the current narrative that annoys me. People saying idiotic things like Diana should be queen not Camilla. News flash if Diana were still alive Camilla would still be queen today. They would've married and no doubt Diana herself would've remarried and maybe even had another baby or two. In fact following the divorce both Diana and Charles were getting along better and devoted to their sons. As as I said earlier neither Diana nor Charles were saints, but they aren't all bad either. They were both total opposites forced into an arranged marriage that was doomed before it even began and one thing I wish would go away is this Saint Diana, evil Charles narrative that's especially being pushed by their younger son and his supporters right now. Neither was perfect as a spouse or as a parent, both made mistakes, both could be manipulative toward the press but it's been almost 30 years since we lost Diana and it's time these mistakes of the past are laid to rest.
But this book amused me because the author was so obviously manipulated by Diana and he was too stupid to realize it. He had his head up her ass and was blinded by her to a hilarious eye rolling extent. Both Charles and Diana were flawed people, both screwed up that marriage, both cheated I would argue Diana was worse by breaking up several marriages and relationships with her affairs, but Charles was equally bad because he was madly in love with his mistress which is tougher than just a few throw away affairs. I'm not sure how the author can talk about how sweet and innocent Diana was and then talk about how he talked on the phone with her daily and obvious manipulation tool to get him on her side, that she pushed her elderly step mother down a staircase and stepped over her injured body as if nothing happened. Then Charles who was getting hammered in the press as a bad father sets up a PR stunt of him greeting and hugging his boys and the author is extremely judgemental of him for it when Diana did it repeatedly. It's hard to take this book seriously because of that and because he talks about literally stalking her, spying on her through the bushes with his camera lens. He even spoke to friends who said she would never have a physical affair when it is now thought she cheated before Charles did. He let himself be manipulated and it clouded his judgment and basically it showed in this book. It made Charles look like an evil bafoon while sweet innocent Diana is a saint. It plays into the current narrative that annoys me. People saying idiotic things like Diana should be queen not Camilla. News flash if Diana were still alive Camilla would still be queen today. They would've married and no doubt Diana herself would've remarried and maybe even had another baby or two. In fact following the divorce both Diana and Charles were getting along better and devoted to their sons. As as I said earlier neither Diana nor Charles were saints, but they aren't all bad either. They were both total opposites forced into an arranged marriage that was doomed before it even began and one thing I wish would go away is this Saint Diana, evil Charles narrative that's especially being pushed by their younger son and his supporters right now. Neither was perfect as a spouse or as a parent, both made mistakes, both could be manipulative toward the press but it's been almost 30 years since we lost Diana and it's time these mistakes of the past are laid to rest.
April 29, 2018
First thing I needed to remember was that this book was written in 1993, 2 years before Charles and Diana's divorce and 3 years before Diana's death.
The writer admits that he was a friend of Diana as well as a journalist familiar with the Royal Family of England who wrote articles for the English papers on their actions, activities, rumors, and scandals. But he tries to be unbiased in relaying what happened.
You have to wonder why Charles, who seemed madly in love with Camilla Parker, refused to fight for her when she was deemed unacceptable to the Family. That he would carry on an affair with a married woman even as he married another, ruining two families with his selfishness. That the Queen wouldn't interfere since every time Charles was with Camilla there was a chance that the deception would have been discovered.
It took some time but Diana learned how to use the press to her advantage and she soon became the darling of most of England and the world. Admittedly, she seemed very genuine in her charity work and patronage, finding her niche.
The press quickly caught on that they were being used by Charles and Diana to see which of the royals would win the popularity contest with the people of England and unfortunately, Charles realized he was no longer the center of attention if his wife was present. Mistakes were made by not only Charles and Diana, but the Queen and her advisors.
Whitaker does get a bit sidetracked in Sara Ferguson's actions even as her marriage to Prince Andrew was dissolving as well as the divorce and remarriage of Diana's father, the relationship of all the Spencer children with there stepmother and the 8th Earl's death and funeral which - in my opinion - were very cruel.
Feud is a good word for the steady disintegration of a marriage that seemed at one time very happy but the differences in priorities and basic incompatibility irrevokably damaged their marriage.
The writer admits that he was a friend of Diana as well as a journalist familiar with the Royal Family of England who wrote articles for the English papers on their actions, activities, rumors, and scandals. But he tries to be unbiased in relaying what happened.
You have to wonder why Charles, who seemed madly in love with Camilla Parker, refused to fight for her when she was deemed unacceptable to the Family. That he would carry on an affair with a married woman even as he married another, ruining two families with his selfishness. That the Queen wouldn't interfere since every time Charles was with Camilla there was a chance that the deception would have been discovered.
It took some time but Diana learned how to use the press to her advantage and she soon became the darling of most of England and the world. Admittedly, she seemed very genuine in her charity work and patronage, finding her niche.
The press quickly caught on that they were being used by Charles and Diana to see which of the royals would win the popularity contest with the people of England and unfortunately, Charles realized he was no longer the center of attention if his wife was present. Mistakes were made by not only Charles and Diana, but the Queen and her advisors.
Whitaker does get a bit sidetracked in Sara Ferguson's actions even as her marriage to Prince Andrew was dissolving as well as the divorce and remarriage of Diana's father, the relationship of all the Spencer children with there stepmother and the 8th Earl's death and funeral which - in my opinion - were very cruel.
Feud is a good word for the steady disintegration of a marriage that seemed at one time very happy but the differences in priorities and basic incompatibility irrevokably damaged their marriage.
September 26, 2025
Diana was "the object of global admiration," yes, even all the way to central Indiana.
This book was out of sorts, all over the place. Lots of info about Andrew and Sarah thrown in, too.
Mention of listening posts and NSA.
This book was out of sorts, all over the place. Lots of info about Andrew and Sarah thrown in, too.
Mention of listening posts and NSA.
December 23, 2024
A captivating time capsule of 1993, 'Royal Blood Feud' offers a glimpse into the tumultuous relationship between Diana and Charles.
I liked the book, but hated the author's attitude. Notably, his hypocrisy—doubling down on publishing topless photos of Fergie as his patriotic duty while condemning rival tabloids for releasing recorded telephone call manuscripts—was appalling. Despite the author's self-important tone, the book provides an interesting and enjoyable perspective on that period of time for the royal family. 📖👑
I liked the book, but hated the author's attitude. Notably, his hypocrisy—doubling down on publishing topless photos of Fergie as his patriotic duty while condemning rival tabloids for releasing recorded telephone call manuscripts—was appalling. Despite the author's self-important tone, the book provides an interesting and enjoyable perspective on that period of time for the royal family. 📖👑
July 14, 2011
I picked this up at Value Village and dont even value this book enough to pass it on. I will be using for a backyard bonfire. Trash written by a tabloid reporter who hunter her to the point of watching her with binocolours from a boat. All of his self-touted royal know-how is laughable with all of his 1992 predications being dashed.
July 28, 2013
Poorly written, gossipy biography full of quotes by anonymous sources. Complete rubbish to be avoided at all costs. I'll give away my copy to any of my friends who insist on reading it. I wouldn't want them wasting money on it.
May 25, 2022
Charles should have thought as much for his COUNTRY, SON'S AND AT LEAST HONESTY AT THE BEGINNING FOR DIANA!!!!!!!! SHE DESERVED IT!!! instead all HE CARED ABOUT WAS CAMILLA AND BEING IN HER PANTS! HE WAS THE FIRST TO CAUSE THE QUEEN HELL!!! NOT FERGIE!!!!!
November 4, 2018
James Whitaker is a famous royal reporter and this book covers the royal breakup. As a journalist, Whitaker strives for fairness and facts - and it shows. A good read - worth picking up!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews