Prince Charles describes relationship with Diana as “Greek tragedy”
It’s no secret that their relationship was a tumultuous one, but a series of unearthed letters have revealed just how fractured Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s relationship really was. In one of the letters, obtained by the Daily Mail, Charles vented to former US First Lady Nancy Reagan about his marriage just six months before they announced their separation, referring to it as a “Greek tragedy”.
“One day I will tell you the whole story,” he wrote. “My problem is it is so awful and so extraordinary that very few people would believe it... It is a kind of Greek tragedy and would certainly make a very good play!”
However, it wasn’t always heartbreak for the couple, with Charles gushing in a letter written in 1985 about what an enjoyable time he and Diana shared at a gala hosted by the Reagans. “Diana still hasn't got over dancing with John Travolta, Neil Diamond and Clint Eastwood in one evening, not to mention the President of the United States as well!”
In a 2002 letter, Charles also opened up about the impact of the Queen Mother’s death on him, confessing her death left “an enormous chasm” in his life. “However, she also leaves behind the most wonderful legacy of unbelievably happy memories… Oh, how we shall all miss her and everything she stood for...”
The Prince maintained a close friendship with Nancy up until her death last year at the age of 94. “The President and Mrs Reagan really valued their friendship with the Royal family, especially The Prince of Wales,” ex-President Reagan’s former chief of staff, Joanne Drake, said.
“They shared the ups and downs of their lives and always wrote the other with strong words of personal support, especially if the situation had become public. Mrs Reagan was extremely touched that he attended President Reagan’s funeral in 2004. She felt a special closeness to him.”