Princess Diana's Revelation: A Momentary Bond Before Harry’s Birth
ROYAL SCANDAL: Prince Harry's Birth Exposed the Cracks in His Parents' Marriage
It's been 38 years since the world witnessed the birth of Prince Harry, but what most people don't know is that this momentous occasion was shrouded in controversy and heartache. The arrival of the Duke of Sussex on September 15, 1984, marked a turning point in the troubled marriage of Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales.
As we approach Prince Harry's 41st birthday next week, we take a closer look at the tumultuous relationship between his parents and how it ultimately led to their divorce. The couple's marriage was already showing signs of strain when they welcomed their first child, Prince William, in 1982. Just two years later, Diana announced her second pregnancy on Valentine's Day 1984, sparking a frenzy of excitement among the royal family.
However, Charles's reaction to the news was far from enthusiastic. According to Diana's taped interviews with Andrew Morton, which formed the basis of his groundbreaking biography, "Diana: Her True Story," Charles had been desperate for a daughter to follow in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. In fact, he allegedly told Diana that she should have waited until after William was born before getting pregnant again.
"I knew Harry was going to be a boy because I saw on the scan," Diana revealed. "Charles always wanted a girl. He wanted two children, and he wanted a girl." The tension between them was palpable as Diana gave birth to their second son in the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, with Charles barely containing his disappointment.
As soon as Harry was born, Charles reportedly blurted out: "Oh God, it's a boy," followed by: "And he's even got red hair." The cruel remark cut deep into Diana's heart, and she couldn't help but feel like she had let her husband down. In an eerie foreshadowing of the events that would unfold in the future, Charles allegedly quipped to his friend, "Wonderful! Now you've given me an Heir and a Spare - my work is done." Little did he know that this careless comment would become a painful reminder of their troubled relationship for years to come.
The royal couple's facade began to crumble even further at Harry's christening on December 21, 1984. According to Diana, Charles told her mother, Frances Shand Kydd, "We're so disappointed, we thought it would be a girl." The rebuke was swift and harsh, with Frances snapping back at Charles, "You should realise you are lucky to have a child."
The marriage continued to deteriorate in the years that followed. The publication of Morton's biography in 1992 marked a turning point, as Diana's confessional interviews revealed the depths of her unhappiness. She spoke candidly about the pressures of being a royal wife, from managing the demands of the press to navigating the complexities of Charles's infidelity.
"We were very, very close to each other the six weeks before Harry was born," Diana said, recalling the rare moments of intimacy she shared with Charles during that time. "But then suddenly, as Harry was born, it just went bang, our marriage, the whole thing went down the drain."
In his explosive memoir, Spare, Prince Harry sheds light on the traumatic events that have shaped his life. He writes about feeling like a spare part, brought into the world to provide backup in case something happened to his brother William. The pain and resentment are palpable as he recounts the cruel joke his father allegedly made about being an heir and a spare.
As we celebrate Prince Harry's birthday today, it's impossible not to reflect on the complex and often painful journey that has led him to where he is now. His decision to speak out in Spare has sparked a national conversation about the monarchy's treatment of its members and the need for greater transparency and accountability.
The question on everyone's mind is: can this royal family ever reconcile? With whispers of peace talks making headlines, it remains to be seen whether Prince Harry will find closure with his brother and father. One thing is certain, however - the truth about their troubled past will continue to shape the future of the monarchy for generations to come.
As we mark this milestone birthday, we are reminded that even in the most public of families, there are secrets and sorrows that lie beneath the surface. The story of Prince Harry's birth serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of family dynamics and the challenges that come with living in the public eye.
Sources:
- Andrew Morton, "Diana: Her True Story" (revised edition 2019)
- Prince Harry, Spare (2023)
This article was first published on The Scholarly Note (thescholarlynote.com).
