The Interview That Changed Everything for Diana
So, let me walk you through this story as it has resurfaced again, especially with new reflections on Martin Bashir’s role in that now–infamous Panorama interview. It’s one of those moments in royal history that still sparks debate because of how dramatically it altered Princess Diana’s life — and possibly her fate.
Back in 1995, Diana agreed to sit down with BBC journalist Martin Bashir for Panorama. That interview wasn’t just big — it was explosive. More than 20 million people watched as she spoke openly about her emotional struggles, her affair, and her belief that her marriage to then–Prince Charles had been overshadowed by Camilla Parker Bowles. She famously described their situation by saying there were “three of us” in the marriage. Hearing that said aloud on national television was shocking for the public, and from that moment on, many felt the royal marriage was beyond repair.
And they were right. Only a month after the interview aired, Queen Elizabeth stepped in and wrote directly to both Charles and Diana, urging them to divorce. Shortly after, Buckingham Palace issued a public statement saying the Queen — supported by Prince Philip — believed an early divorce was “desirable.” By August 1996, the marriage was formally over.
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But here’s where things get even more complicated. Diana’s former private secretary, Patrick Jephson, has now said he believes that before the Panorama interview, there may have still been a chance for reconciliation. According to him, the door hadn’t been completely shut. He felt that with time — and considering the public goodwill Diana inspired — a path back to a functional royal partnership wasn’t impossible. But once the interview aired, he said, there was no coming back. The relationship between Diana and the royal family was essentially severed.
Then came the revelations years later. In 2021, an independent inquiry found that Martin Bashir had used deception to secure the interview. Fake bank statements were created to win the trust of Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, suggesting staff were being paid to spy on her. Bashir admitted to fabricating the documents but denied showing them to Earl Spencer. Still, the inquiry concluded that Diana had been misled.
Dianarama , which digs into the layers of manipulation and cover-up surrounding that moment.
When people say that the Panorama interview changed Diana’s life forever, it’s not an exaggeration. And now, with everything we’ve learned about how that interview was obtained, the sense of tragedy feels even heavier.
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