By Sharon Churcher And Elizabeth Sanderson
Last updated at 11:39 PM on 7th January 2012
A new biography of the Queen reveals for the first time her despair over the divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and the Monarch's fears that her eldest son was about to 'throw everything away'.
In Elizabeth The Queen, by Sally Bedell Smith, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, recalls the moment that the Queen finally confronted the problems in her son's marriage.
The Archbishop reveals she was terrified that history was about to repeat itself – that Prince Charles would give up his place in the line of succession for Camilla, just as King Edward VIII gave up the throne in 1936 to marry his mistress, Wallis Simpson.
Beyond repair: Charles and Diana look downcast in Toronto in 1991. The Queen prayed for them, fearing that Charles would give up his claim to the throne
Lord Carey says: 'There was a moment when we were talking very candidly about divorce. I remember her sighing and saying, "History is repeating itself." I saw despair. What she was talking about was the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
'She was concerned that if they divorced, Charles would marry Camilla. She thought Charles was in danger of throwing everything out of the window by rejecting Diana and forging another relationship.'
But Lord Carey advised the Queen that Prince Charles's relationship with his wife was beyond repair.
He says: 'The personalities were so different. The Queen understood that. She could offer support and put them into her prayers.'
The intimate biography is based on 200 interviews with relatives, friends, courtiers and politicians. Although it is unauthorised, Buckingham Palace aides gave their full co-operation to the American author, a former New York Times reporter. Ms Bedell Smith also wrote a controversial bestseller, Diana: In Search Of Herself, in which she speculated the Princess may have suffered from borderline personality disorder.
Ms Bedell Smith says that Buckingham Palace staff 'opened doors, offered guidance and information, and arranged for me to watch the Queen and Prince Philip in action'.
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, reveals that the Queen spoke candidly about the problems in Prince Charles's marriage
Written to coincide with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the book will be published in America tomorrow – though early copies were available in Manhattan yesterday – and in Britain next month.
It is the first major biography of the Queen since 2002, and addresses the sometimes difficult relationship between the Queen and Prince Charles.
According to Ms Bedell Smith, tensions developed after the Prince of Wales 'ruminated to friends and colleagues' about the possibility that his mother might abdicate.
In November 1998, the Queen confronted Charles about a TV documentary in which one of his aides said he would be 'privately delighted' if she stepped down from the throne. Charles apologised and said the story was untrue.
'I can't retire...I'll carry on to the end'
The row was particularly upsetting as the Queen has said she will never abdicate. Ms Bedell Smith writes: 'When Carey went to her to say he was ready to retire as Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002, she sighed and said, "Oh, that's something I can't do. I am going to carry on to the end." '
Although the Queen is prevented from expressing political views in public, the new book depicts the Monarch as a traditional conservative, privately opposing Tony Blair's ban on foxhunting and being unimpressed by his New Labour philosophy. She told a friend: 'I think he's in the wrong party.'
The Queen's tender side was revealed at an 80th birthday party seven years ago for Lady Thatcher, who was weakened following several strokes. The author says the former Prime Minister was 'visibly excited' that the Queen was coming to the event at a London hotel.
The book says that Lady Thatcher asked, 'Is it all right if I touch her?' as the Queen approached. Lady Thatcher then extended her hand, 'which the Queen held steady as her former Prime Minister curtseyed, although not as low as before. The Queen then tenderly guided Thatcher through the crowd of 650 guests.'
King Edward VIII gave up the throne in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson
Charles Powell – now Lord Powell – a senior adviser to Mrs Thatcher during her No 10 days, tells the author: 'That was unusual for the British, who know you are not supposed to touch the Queen. But they were hand-in-hand, and the Queen led her around the room.'
The book also disputes a conspiracy theory about the trial of Royal butler Paul Burrell for theft, which was controversially halted after it was revealed he had informed the Queen that he had kept Princess Diana's possessions for 'safekeeping'.
Some believed this disclosure was to help the Royals avoid a potentially damaging trial.
One unnamed source tells the author that the Queen had a 'very clear' recollection of the 'brief' conversation, and that Burrell had claimed it was 'a few documents as opposed to hundreds of things'. She had concluded the revelation was, at the time, of minor relevance to the allegations.
'She told me she thought no more about it,' says the source.
The book portrays the personal as well as the public side of the Queen, painting a picture of a loving wife. However, it claims that her refusal to take Prince Philip's surname of Mountbatten led to 'strains' in their marriage. Ms Bedell Smith argues the issue may even account for the ten-year delay between the births of the Princess Royal and Prince Andrew.
Nevertheless, the author says that Prince Philip is devoted to the Queen and scotches claims by other biographers that he was unfaithful.
Much of the gossip has focused on his blonde carriage-driving partner Penny Romsey. But Romsey's mother-in-law, the Countess of Mountbatten, tells the author: 'He would never behave badly. He has always loved the Queen . . . he wouldn't want to do anything to hurt her.'
An indication of Philip's devotion comes from his valet John Dean, who says Philip gave up smoking on the morning of his wedding to please his bride. Mr Dean says: 'Philip knew how anguished Elizabeth was by her father's addiction to cigarettes, so he stopped, suddenly and apparently without difficulty.'
Meanwhile, Lady Pamela Hicks, a bridesmaid at the Queen's wedding and later a lady-in-waiting, says that Philip 'helped his wife stay on an even keel'.
'They're not a sweet old Darby and Joan'
She tells the author: 'I remember her complaining in Australia [during her first Royal tour], "All these mayors are so boring." Philip tried to divert her, urging her to go swimming.' Lady Pamela adds: 'But to this day, he and the Queen are far from a sweet old Darby and Joan. They're both very strong characters.'
However, the book reports that, like countless married couples, they have learned to avoid confrontations. Tony Parnell, a long-time foreman at Sandringham, recalls a time when the Prince's dressing room needed repainting and how 'on Her Majesty's instruction, we had to match the dirty paintwork so he wouldn't know'.
Although her health remains largely robust, the Queen's former comptroller, Sir Malcolm Ross, reveals that she has approved plans for her State funeral, which she wants to take place in Westminster Abbey rather than St Paul's Cathedral because she regards it 'as the central church to her and to the Church of England'.
The last Monarch to have a funeral there was George II in 1760.
Source : dailymail
Related Video :
{ 0 comments... Views All / Send Comment! }
Posting Komentar