In this world-exclusive extract for the Herald on Sunday, a new book about the royal family recounts the evening Princess Diana challenged Camilla on her extramarital affair with Prince Charles.
February 1989, London. Lady Annabel Goldsmith, who describes herself as an "incredible mother, rather a good mistress, but not a very good wife" to billionaire financier Sir James Goldsmith, is hosting a birthday party. The guest of honour is Camilla Parker Bowles's younger sister, who's turning 40. Diana stares at the invitation. She knows it's a mere formality. It would be strange, not to mention rude, to invite the Prince of Wales and not his wife. But no one is expecting her to actually attend. Especially not Charles.
Diana is about to toss out the invitation when an inner voice says, Go for the hell of it. She does. But once face-to-face with Camilla at the party, Diana experiences a spike of fear.
Instead of kissing the woman hello, she shakes Camilla's hand. The action emboldens her, strengthens her bravery.
Diana feels a calmness sweep through her, a feeling that lasts throughout dinner.
Afterward, Diana notices that her husband and Camilla are nowhere to be found. More than an hour passes, and still there is no sign of them. She decides to investigate.
Downstairs, in the basement, Diana spots Charles and Camilla in a children's playroom. Diana returns upstairs and seeks out Ken Wharfe.
