Unrequited love or heartbreak, depending on how one views it, defines the notorious romance between Diana of Wales and now King Charles III. This saga has filled headlines over the years, and even today, new details surrounding their three-person marriage continue to emerge. Diana herself revealed the tension when she famously stated, "There were three of us in this marriage," referring to the unyielding presence of Camilla Parker Bowles throughout her relationship with Charles.
During her explosive interview with BBC's Panorama, Diana also confessed to having been unfaithful, engaging in her own affair with James Hewitt, a British Army officer. This admission not only sent shockwaves through the royal family but also transformed Hewitt’s public persona, thrusting him from anonymity to notoriety.
Recently, insights from Hewitt himself have resurfaced, particularly stemming from his 1995 interview where he candidly spoke about his relationship with Diana. After her tragic accident in 1997, which claimed her life, Hewitt's public profile only increased, as he published his memoirs titled "Love and War" two years later. He confirmed Diana's affection for him during his promotions, stating, "She would have been delighted to have me tell her secrets. Absolutely delighted to read an accurate version," speaking of her willingness to embrace the truth of their love.
Over the years, exceedingly vilified, Hewitt was often labeled as the “most hated man” in Britain. Critics accused him of invading Diana’s privacy, not least of which came just two years after her death. The initial limited print of his controversial memoir—75,000 copies—vanished from bookstore shelves within hours, confirming the public's voracious appetite for details about the late princess’s life.
Hewitt defended his choice to speak out, saying, "I decided to say something rather than nothing. Put the record straight. Because I tried to say nothing, and anyway, they wrote about me. Mostly, lies.” His insistence on honoring their relationship raised eyebrows, but he claimed to have always been honest about his feelings.
Adding fuel to the fire, Hewitt disclosed numerous love letters he allegedly received from Diana, maintaining there were at least 120 penned before he was deployed for the Gulf War. These letters contained personal thoughts, intimacies, and emotions—though not all were intact, with some reportedly burned and others sent to Diana’s mother for safekeeping. His intentions to publish their correspondences, alongside his narrative, drew scrutiny and condemnation from the public.
On motivations behind their affair, Hewitt recalls Diana as feeling trapped within her loveless marriage to Charles. He noted, "When she began the affair, she suffered from bulimia and low self-esteem. She felt suffocated and believed British intelligence agents had orchestrated the motorcycle accident killing her bodyguard, Barry Mannakee." This admission shines light on the emotional turmoil she experienced during her marriage.
Sadly, he feels used when Diana reportedly regained her self-confidence and approval, stating she did not reciprocate during his times of need. His statements paint the picture of how love and relationships can struggle under the weight of circumstance, betrayal, and expectations often associated with royal life.
Diana’s struggles, paired with her rise as the “People’s Princess,” remains emblematic of her desire to break free from the constraints of royal life. Hewitt’s words demonstrate how their affair offered her the chance for emotional reprieve from the pressures of being married to Charles.
Years after their passionate affair, he remained reflective, stating, "She had been the great love of my life. We shared something exceptional, and no one can take it from us," uttering words laden with nostalgia yet shaded with sorrow over love lost.
All these revelations create layers of complexity to the public's perception of Diana, Charles, and the emotional battles fought behind palace walls. Their intertwined lives depicted both the glamor and the gravity of being part of the British royal family, setting the stage for discussions on love, commitment, and fame. This history doesn't merely focus on scandal but on genuine human experiences and the heartache endured by Diana, forever caught between loyalty and love.