The relationship between Diana, Princess of Wales and the Princess Royal is in the spotlight again as a new series of programmes focused on the Queen’s family airs. The bond, or lack of one, between the two women was often discussed in the years before Diana’s death and now the claim that the pair didn’t get along is examined again in a show on Channel 5.
In Paxman on the Queen’s Children, it’s reported that the two women had very different ideas about royal life. Presenter Jeremy Paxman looks at claims that Anne felt overshadowed by Diana and became concerned that her sister in law, over a decade her junior, made her look ‘’out of touch’’. He also examines whether Diana would try to leave events if she thought Anne would be there as well as discussing the Princess Royal’s concerns over her sister in law’s attitude towards the media.
The two programmes, which aim to look at how the Queen’s children have helped shape the way we all view the modern monarchy, also explores the long standing friendship between Diana and the Duke of York who were just a year apart in age and who used to play together at Sandringham. Diana spent her early years at Park House on the Queen’s Norfolk estate after her parents took on the lease there following their own marriage.
The shows will look at the relationships between all the Queen’s children as well as the connections between those who married into this generation of the Royal Family. The two part series begins with an exploration of the early lives of the four children of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, examining how their mother’s role as Monarch impacted on them growing up.
Their weddings and the break down of several of their marriages will also be looked at while the programmes also ask whether Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward remain relevant given the focus now being put on the next generation of royals including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Paxman on the Queen’s Children starts on Channel 5 (in the UK) on Tuesday, February 5th at 9pm.
