Princess Diana's Former Bodyguard Shares What Really Happened When the Royal Confronted Camilla About Prince Charles Affair
"And Camilla sort of said something, to which still to this day I have never really understood," the protection officer said.

Much has been written about the beginnings of King Charles and Queen Camilla's relationship, especially their affair while he was married to Princess Diana. Their romance became one of the biggest royal scandals of the 20th century, and now a former royal bodyguard is discussing what happened on one fateful night in 1987 when Diana confronted her husband's mistress.
Ken Wharfe, who worked as a protection officer for the princess, told ITV (via the Mirror) that Diana had been invited to a party hosted by Camilla Parker Bowles's sister, Annabel Elliot—but no one expected she'd actually show up.
"Diana didn't have any particular friendships at that party but when we arrived there, it was almost like freeze-framing a scene in a movie because there was this surprise that Diana had even arrived," Wharfe recalled.
Diana herself went on to describe the bash in Andrew Morton's biography Diana: Her True Story. “I was a total fish out of water. But I decided to try my hardest. I was going to make an impact," she told the biographer. But apparently, things got awkward about an hour later.
"I went out and there was Diana, who said 'You've got to come with me, I can't find my husband or Camilla,'" Wharfe told ITV, adding that the princess "was in some distress" and he "couldn't say no."
He continued that they "found the Prince and Camilla sat on a sofa in the basement of this property just talking." Rather than slink away, Diana found the "confidence" to confront Parker Bowles, as the former royal bodyguard recalled.
Diana confronted Camilla and Charles during a birthday party in the '80s.
"I didn't know quite what Diana was going to do at that point but, with a great deal of confidence, Diana just went up to both of them and said to Camilla 'please don't treat me like an idiot, I know what's going on,'" Wharfe told ITV.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
“It must be hell for both of you,” Diana said, per Morton's biography, telling Camilla, "I wasn’t born yesterday."
During the confrontation, the protection officer admitted that Parker Bowles's reply to the princess mystified him. "Camilla sort of said something, to which still to this day I have never really understood what she meant by," Wharfe revealed, explaining that the future queen told Diana, "Well you know, you have two wonderful boys."
While he wasn't sure what Camilla meant by her remark, Wharfe shared that the encounter "was an incredible moment for me and certainly for them as well."
Diana—who divorced Charles in 1996—would later go on to admit in her BBC Panorama interview that "there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded." But when it came to that fateful party, Wharfe said it "was a defining moment in their life because I think at that point...this was an indicator the end was nigh."
Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.
Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.
Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.
-
Hailey Bieber Color-Coordinates With Her New Rhode Pop-Up Shop
She's all-in on this color trend.
By Kelsey Stiegman Published
-
Princess Kate Wore Princess Diana's Priceless Ring During a Risky Activity
It was a choice.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
It-Girls Love This Rich-Looking Status Jacket
You'll spot it on It-girls everywhere.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
Princess Kate Raised Eyebrows By Wearing Princess Diana's Priceless Ring During This Risky Vacation Activity
It was a choice.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Charles Sent Princess Diana an Unexpectedly Touching Message Before Their Royal Wedding
The late royal shared the details of his intimate card and personalized gift.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Harry and Prince William Share This Parenting Conundrum as They Honor Princess Diana
The Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex have found themselves in similar situations recently.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Exclusive: Princess Diana Would “Send Romantic Cards to Prince Charles” But “He Never Returned the Compliment,” Per Former Royal Butler
Diana’s butler, Paul Burrell, tells ‘Marie Claire’ how the royals “never acknowledged” Valentine’s Day.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Diana Enjoyed a Rather Bizarre Snack Her Royal Chef Kept On Hand
It's not what you'd normally pick for a midnight snack.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Had a Heartbreaking Reason for Choosing His Childhood Dream Job
The surprising occupation had to do with his mom, Princess Diana.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Diana Once Wore an Unbelievable "Disguise" for a Secret Night Out With an A-List Singer
"We were nudging each other like naughty schoolchildren."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Why The King and Queen Invited Stanley Tucci, David Beckham and Helen Mirren to a Glitzy Royal Dinner
Donatella Versace, Victoria Beckham and more famous faces joined the event at Highgrove House.
By Kristin Contino Published