In November 1992, a private transcript of a phone call from 1989 between the then-Prince of Wales, Charles, and Camilla Parker Bowles was leaked to the media, raising eyebrows and scandalizing the public. At that time, Charles was still married to Princess Diana. Reports indicated that the call contained intimate jokes, including Charles expressing a desire to be reincarnated as a tampon in Camilla’s pants, according to the New York Times.
During a 1994 interview with documentary filmmaker Jonathan Dimbleby, Charles openly admitted to having an affair with Camilla. That same night, Diana famously donned a black dress with a plunging neckline, later dubbed the “Revenge Dress,” as she attended an event at the Serpentine Gallery in London, symbolizing her strength amid the turmoil.
In a significant break from royal tradition, Charles married Camilla in 2005, despite the monarchy’s long-held reservations about marrying divorced individuals. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip did not attend the wedding ceremony but were present at the reception held at Windsor Castle.
While the British constitutional monarchy traditionally maintains political neutrality, Charles has faced scrutiny for his involvement in political matters. According to the Guardian, his correspondence with then-Prime Minister Tony Blair included various demands, such as improved equipment for troops in Iraq and the availability of herbal alternatives in the UK. A spokesperson for Charles defended these letters, stating they expressed legitimate concerns regarding public issues.
The dynamics between Harry, Charles, and Meghan Markle have also drawn public attention. In January 2020, Harry revealed during an interview with Oprah Winfrey that his relationship with Charles had soured after he and Meghan stepped back from royal duties. Harry claimed he was financially cut off and that his father had stopped returning his calls, despite expressing love for Harry and Meghan as they built their new lives overseas.
Further complications arose in September 2021 when it was reported that a chief executive at the Prince’s Foundation temporarily resigned amid allegations of misconduct involving Saudi businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz, who allegedly sought to secure an honorary CBE in exchange for donations to the charity. A spokesperson for Charles stated that he was unaware of any alleged offers of honors or British citizenship tied to charitable contributions.
The affair between Charles and Camilla was a source of distress for Queen Elizabeth II and her advisers, who believed that Charles should end his relationship with Camilla. The release of the controversial transcript on November 9, 2022, not only validated Diana’s claims about the affair but also intensified the contentious separation between Charles and Diana.
Margaret Rhodes, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth, noted that the Queen was displeased with the size of Charles’s staff and the amenities afforded to him. In Christopher Anderson’s upcoming book, *The King*, scheduled for release on November 8, 2023, it is suggested that Diana stalked Charles at Highgrove, confronting him about his lack of intimacy. Diana reportedly asked Charles why he wouldn’t sleep with her since Harry’s birth, accusing him of unilaterally ending their sexual relationship. Their marriage, which began in 1981 under significant familial pressure, was riddled with tension and frustration.
Ultimately, the couple separated in 1992 and finalized their divorce in 1996. Tragically, Diana passed away in a car accident in 1997 at the age of 36, marking a sorrowful chapter in royal history.