Princess Diana in Her Own Words

By Danielle Pope

Princess Diana and Prince Charles look in different directions during a Korean War commemorative service in November 1992. 
(REUTERS)
Princess Diana and Prince Charles look in different directions during a Korean War commemorative service in November 1992. (REUTERS)
The controversial documentary is set to air in Australia

A controversial documentary that is set to show private videotapes of Princess Diana is set to air in Australia, after attempts by the Royal Family to block the show from airing in the UK failed.

Titled “Diana, In Her Own Words” the documentary relies heavily on private recordings of the Princess dated from the early 1990s, just several years before her tragic death in a Paris car accident. The recordings were taken by the Princess’ voice coach, Peter Settelen who was coaching her to begin to find her own voice, and preparing her for the potentially damning interviews to come as the rift between the Princess and the royal family was becoming clear to the public.

During their sessions, the Princess opened up to Settelen, candidly discussing her marital problems, her knowledge of the Prince’s affair and her strained relationship with the royal family.

The Princess’ brother, Earl Spencer reportedly pleaded with the British television channel Channel 4 not to broadcast the documentary, taking the line that many close to the Princess hold that the tapes are an invasion of privacy. Several sources have also worried about the damage that airing the documentary would cause to the Princess’ sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.

English journalist and Royal writer Penny Junor agrees arguing that the tapes will just cause further distress.

“I really don’t think we need this very personal, very intimate very private conversation,” Junor said. “We know a huge amount about her already. She’s been dead 20 years. We have never left her rest in peace.”

The program was met with a mixed response in the UK and is now set to air in Australia.

For a woman who stoically lived her life in the spotlight, it appears that even in death the “People’s Princess” remains under scrutiny.

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