The new book ‘Power and the Palace,’ written by royal expert Valentine Low, sheds light on the unexpected role played by former Prime Minister John Major during the public breakdown of Princess Diana’s marriage to Prince Charles. According to the book, Major acted as an ‘honest broker,’ quietly mediating between the couple while also providing emotional support to Diana at a time when she felt most alone. Low describes how Major, in his role as Prime Minister, offered a sympathetic ear to both Charles and Diana, ensuring their separation passed without unnecessary drama.
The book highlights that Major was particularly concerned about Diana’s well-being, especially as she relied heavily on mystics and spiritualists during a period of deep loneliness. Private secretary Alex Allan noted that Major had ‘a number of sessions’ with both Charles and Diana, while cabinet secretary Lord Butler felt Major provided Diana a ‘shoulder to cry on.’ The book also mentions that Diana’s private secretary, Patrick Jephson, recalled how Major frequently visited Diana during the separation and afterward, offering her a sense of stability and support.
While the book emphasizes Major’s role as a mediator, it also notes that he was not attempting to reunite the couple but rather to ensure the separation process was as smooth as possible. Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner suggests that Major’s support for Diana was rooted in his middle-class background and his understanding of loneliness, which made him an empathetic figure during the crisis. However, the book also raises questions about Major’s honesty, as he announced in 1992 that Charles and Diana had decided to separate but had ‘no plans to divorce.’
Ultimately, the separation led to the eventual divorce of Charles and Diana in 1996, marking the end of their marriage. After the divorce, Diana reinvented herself as ‘The People’s Princess,’ throwing herself into charity work and public engagement. Her untimely death in 1997, following a car crash in Paris, left a lasting impact on the royal family and the public. Major, who had remained close to the royal family, was appointed special guardian to Diana’s sons after her death, a role suggested by Charles. His continued involvement with the royal family, including attending major events such as Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton and Prince Harry’s marriage to Meghan Markle, underscores the lasting relationship between Major and the royal family.