MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Royals

Princess Diana Apparently Said Prince Charles’ Unaffectionate Childhood Affected Their Marriage

Claiming that the only affection Prince Charles knew was "shaking hands" - by Diandra Malivindi
  • 22 Sep 2020
Princess Diana Apparently Said Prince Charles’ Unaffectionate Childhood Affected Their Marriage

It comes as no surprise—especially for Royals fans—that Princess Diana and Prince Charles had a rather complex marriage.

But a new novel by royal biographer Ingrid Seward claims that Princess Diana had apparently spoken with her about Prince Charles' less-than-affectionate childhood and opened up about how it supposedly affected their marriage.

The book, Prince Philip Revealed, certainly offers plenty to learn about Prince Philip but also sheds light on his son, Prince Charles, too.

According to Seward, Diana explained that Charles's unusual upbringing manifested itself in his inability to show physical affection and that he "couldn’t be tactile with his own wife."

"Diana reckoned that if Charles had been brought up in the normal fashion, he would have been better able to handle his and her emotions," Seward wrote.

Seward also claimed that Diana called it "emotional retentiveness", writing that the only form of affection Charles ever received from his parents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, were handshakes—not hugs.

Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and Prince Charles

"Instead, she said, his feelings seemed to have been suffocated at birth," Seward continued. "According to her, he never had any hands-on love from his parents. Only his nannies showed him affection but that, as Diana explained, was not the same as being kissed and cuddled by your parents, which Charles never was. When he met his parents, they didn't embrace: they shook hands."

Seward went onto note that even for the time and their royal titles, Elizabeth and Philip were unusually distant. 

"Even when judged by the standards of the time, Philip and Elizabeth saw remarkably little of their offspring," Seward finished.

Due to his duties as a naval officer, Philip was often away from his family. And according to Seward, he was only home for two of Charles's first eight birthday celebrations. She also mentioned that once during Charles' infancy, Elizabeth and Philip left him and his younger sister, Princess Anne, in England as they spent Christmas in Malta.

Continuing to summarise Diana's supposed sentiments, Seward continued, "Only his nannies showed him affection but that, as Diana explained, was not the same as being kissed and cuddled by your parents, which Charles never was. When he met his parents, they didn’t embrace: they shook hands.”

Ultimately, it's easy to see how this added yet another layer to their already-complex relationship.

Ingrid Seward's Prince Philip Revealed is set to be released in October 2020.

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

All The Best Celebrity Style From The Red Carpet At The 2022 Cannes Film Festival

All The Best Celebrity Style From The Red Carpet At The 2022 Cannes Film Festival

12 Times Celebrity Children Wore Looks Inspired By Their Mothers' Iconic Outfits

12 Times Celebrity Children Wore Looks Inspired By Their Mothers' Iconic Outfits

At Gucci’s Divine Comedy, Harlequins And Witches Dance Under The Full Moon

At Gucci’s Divine Comedy, Harlequins And Witches Dance Under The Full Moon

NYC Cool Girl & 90s Style Muse, Chloë Sevigny, Ties The Knot (Again)

NYC Cool Girl & 90s Style Muse, Chloë Sevigny, Ties The Knot (Again)

{headline}

{headline}

Bulgari Brings Over 150 Pieces Of High Jewellery And High-End Watches To Australia

Bulgari Brings Over 150 Pieces Of High Jewellery And High-End Watches To Australia

In San Diego, Louis Vuitton Sets Its Sights On A Marvelous Future

In San Diego, Louis Vuitton Sets Its Sights On A Marvelous Future

Store Your Most Cherished Memories In One Of These Stylish Wedding Albums

Store Your Most Cherished Memories In One Of These Stylish Wedding Albums

{headline}

{headline}

Jason Momoa Is Romantically Linked To Eiza Gonzalez Following Split From Lisa Bonet

Jason Momoa Is Romantically Linked To Eiza Gonzalez Following Split From Lisa Bonet

The 5 Trends You Need To Know About From Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2022

The 5 Trends You Need To Know About From Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2022

5 Water-Resistant Trench Coats To Keep You Chic, Cosy & Dry On Rainy Winter Days

5 Water-Resistant Trench Coats To Keep You Chic, Cosy & Dry On Rainy Winter Days

Wynn Hamlyn's AAFW Debut Was A Mix Of Underground Industrial Grit And 'Good Vibes'

Wynn Hamlyn's AAFW Debut Was A Mix Of Underground Industrial Grit And 'Good Vibes'

Romance Was Born Took Us To A ‘Watery Disco Grotto’ For Their Resort 2023 Collection

Romance Was Born Took Us To A ‘Watery Disco Grotto’ For Their Resort 2023 Collection

Dior's Fall 2022 Collection Is Redefining The Meaning Of Uniform Dressing

Dior's Fall 2022 Collection Is Redefining The Meaning Of Uniform Dressing

Anna Heinrich: How I'm Raising My Daughter In The Spotlight

Anna Heinrich: How I'm Raising My Daughter In The Spotlight

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
MarieClaire Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Elle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • beautyheaven
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Marie Claire