Why did Princess Diana pursue relationships outside her marriage to Prince Charles? What drove her interest in certain men during this tumultuous period?
In his book Diana, Ken Wharfe offers firsthand observations of Princess Diana’s relationships that reveal the complex emotional landscape behind her associations with James Hewitt and Oliver Hoare, painting a picture of a woman seeking genuine connection during her troubled marriage.
Keep reading to explore the hidden details of these significant chapters in Princess Diana’s life, told through the eyes of someone who witnessed it all.
Princess Diana’s Relationships
Wharfe interprets Princess Diana’s relationships during her marriage to Prince Charles, not as mere acts of defiance, but as manifestations of her search for love, comfort, and support that was lacking in her marriage. He specifically writes about her relationship with James Hewitt and her fixation with Oliver Hoare.
Diana’s Relationship With James Hewitt
During a challenging period with Charles, Diana found comfort in her relationship with cavalry officer James Hewitt. Wharfe demonstrates intimate knowledge of their clandestine affair, having helped maintain its secrecy by arranging private meeting places and managing her discreet travel arrangements. Wharfe portrays Hewitt as charismatic and cooperative, someone who fully understood the importance of discretion.
Yet, while the relationship was marked by passionate moments, Diana became increasingly frustrated by Hewitt’s growing emotional demands. Wharfe views this affair as evidence of both the fundamental problems in Diana’s marriage and her desperate search for emotional connection.
Diana’s Obsession With Oliver Hoare
Wharfe describes the Princess’s obsession with Oliver Hoare, a prominent figure in the art world, as a destructive infatuation that grew beyond control. He details how Diana’s fixation manifested through countless phone calls and relentless attempts to secure Hoare’s attention. Unlike James Hewitt, Hoare showed little interest in handling the responsibilities that Wharfe found himself managing in this situation. Wharfe repeatedly cautioned Diana about the consequences of pursuing a married man, but his warnings went unheeded.
The intensity of her obsession, reflected in her persistent phone calls, ultimately led to Hoare’s wife reporting the harassment to the police—an event Wharfe characterizes as deeply embarrassing. Wharfe sees this obsessive behavior as symptomatic of Diana’s emotional turmoil during her marriage’s collapse. Despite the negative press coverage and surrounding chaos her actions generated, Diana appeared unmoved by the consequences.
