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Diana, Princess of Walesis considered to be better than charlesNew declassified documents about the then Prince of Wales have been revealed.
Documents from Ireland’s National Archives reveal Princess Diana’s staff were actively involved in “stealing the limelight” at St James’s Palace during their highly publicized separation.
The documents also reveal a two-day visit to Ireland in June 1995 that Charles made after his split from Diana in 1992.
His inner circle reportedly viewed the trip’s widespread coverage as an important part of “a long-term public relations strategy to restore the prince in the British public eye” following their high-profile divorce.
Charles’ press team, led by press secretary Alan Percival and his successor Sandy Haynie, reported to Irish officials that they considered the visit to Ireland “the best public appearance the prince has made in a long time.”
Ireland’s Foreign Office documents describe Ms Haynie as “extremely loyal” to Charles and “actively seizing every opportunity to advance his career”.
A note from the Foreign Office revealed that officials were unsure whether Princess Diana was joking when she suggested Princess Diana might also want to visit Ireland.
“Haney (who was less aware of the political dimension than the introverted Percival) told me that if she had a say in it, the prince would be here again before the end of the summer,” the document states.
“She also said that if what has happened so far is any guide, we’ll be expecting Princess Diana soon!”
Foreign Office official Joe Hayes added: “I took this as a joke until she repeated it and assured me that in the media war between the two, the princess had by far been the more predatory and skilful, with her staff devoting considerable time to finding ways and means to steal the limelight from St James’s Palace.”
Charles’ officials agreed with Irish diplomats that coverage of the visit in the UK, while positive, was “relatively sparse” compared with Ireland.
Officials on both sides of the Irish Sea noted that coverage of the visit in the UK was “positive but relatively lighthearted” compared with comprehensive coverage in Ireland.
This article is based on documents contained in the National Archives of Ireland file labeled 2025/124/160.