Vindicated: Diana's private secretary on Bashir's BBC betrayal | The Daily T

Key Concepts

• Martin Bashir's Deception: The core of the interview revolves around how Martin Bashir manipulated Princess Diana into giving the 1995 Panorama interview.
• BBC Cover-up: The interview highlights the subsequent efforts by the BBC to conceal Bashir's unethical tactics.
• Patrick Jefferson's Role: As Princess Diana's former private secretary, Jefferson was a key figure whose trust was broken by Bashir's lies.
• Princess Diana's True Character: The discussion aims to portray Diana beyond her public image, emphasizing her intelligence, professionalism, and substantial royal stature.
• The "Battle of the Wales": The period of separation and divorce negotiations between Diana and Prince Charles, marked by media warfare and competing narratives.
• Dyson Inquiry: An investigation that revealed the extent of Bashir's deceit and led to a BBC payout for Patrick Jefferson.
• Royal Institution Management: The interview touches upon the challenges and poor decisions affecting the monarchy's public image and future.

Patrick Jefferson's Account of Working for Princess Diana and the Martin Bashir Interview

This interview features Patrick Jefferson, Princess Diana's former private secretary, discussing his experiences working for her, the circumstances surrounding the infamous 1995 Panorama interview with Martin Bashir, and the subsequent fallout. Jefferson details how Bashir deceived Diana, leading to a breakdown in her trust with him, and touches upon the BBC's subsequent cover-up.

Early Career and Appointment as Equerry

Patrick Jefferson began his career in the Royal Navy, viewing it as a lifelong vocation. A less common but envied role within the Navy is that of an equerry, a military aide to a member of the royal family. Jefferson was unexpectedly offered the opportunity to be considered as a potential equerry to the then Princess of Wales, Princess Diana. Despite initial doubts about his suitability based on conventional criteria (height, looks, wealth) and the perceived turn of the army, he was summoned for an interview, which turned out to be a lunch with Princess Diana and her lady-in-waiting. He was surprised to be offered the two-year position.

Transition to Private Secretary and Diana's Vision

Upon completing his term as equerry, Princess Diana, whose marriage to Prince Charles was diverging, expressed a desire to establish her own organization. She asked Jefferson to leave the Navy and become her full-time courtier to set up and run her office. She famously told him, "Patrick, we are going to go conquer the world."

Princess Diana: Beyond the Public Image

Jefferson refutes the simplistic public perception of Diana as "Shy Di" or a "charity queen." He describes her as a "substantial royal figure in her own right" who was "going to be the next queen." He acknowledges that, like any significant historical figure, she had difficult moments, but emphasizes her remarkable level-headedness, down-to-earth nature, and sense of humor, especially given the immense pressures she faced.

He highlights her aristocratic background, noting that she could seamlessly transition from being wonderfully accessible and emotionally articulate to an "icy aristocrat" when the situation demanded it. This ability to embody the expected role of a princess was crucial, as she understood the public's desire to see a princess and did not want to disappoint them. Jefferson characterizes her as a highly professional, hardworking, and meticulous princess, which consequently made her a demanding boss.

Diana's Happiness and Work Ethic

When asked if Diana enjoyed her role, Jefferson suggests that while she experienced moments of self-pity (which he felt she had reason for), she did not tolerate it much in others. She found happiness and fulfillment when she was busy and engaged in productive work, particularly when she could use her own experiences of unhappiness to help those in need. Jefferson observed that she was happiest when working hard, with structure and discipline, a trait he believes is common to most people. Her unhappiest moments, he suggests, occurred when she was not working or when her efforts were not appreciated. He notes that royal individuals' primary discipline is self-imposed, and while the public perceives them as constantly working, they are often most fulfilled when actively engaged in their royal duties.

Jefferson's Involvement in Diana's Personal Life

Jefferson joined Diana's orbit in 1988, a period of increasing marital difficulty for the Prince and Princess of Wales. While maintaining a professional boundary was important, the unconventional nature of Diana's royal existence necessitated a deeper involvement in her personal life. He explains that he expected a more traditional courtier role with ample time off, but the reality was different. His primary goal was Diana's happiness, both professionally and personally.

He became significantly involved in the separation and divorce negotiations, handling matters ranging from her residence and allowances to her contact with her children. These were difficult negotiations, as she had no one else to assist her besides her divorce lawyer. Despite this, he strove to maintain a professional relationship and ensure a semblance of work-life balance for both of them.

The "Battle of the Wales" and the Genesis of the Bashir Interview

Jefferson recounts the period following the formal separation in 1992, leading up to the divorce finalization. This was a "pretty unpleasant working atmosphere" characterized by media speculation and what the media termed the "battle of the Wales." He was aware of briefing wars against Diana from her husband's camp and her own efforts to manage her public relations, leading to competing narratives.

He was not aware of Martin Bashir's involvement until the Panorama interview was already filmed. However, he knew Diana was keen for her side of the story to be heard. Jefferson's belief was that her best approach was to continue her work diligently and let her actions speak for themselves, rather than relying on elaborate spin doctoring.

Bashir's Deception and Jefferson's Exclusion

Jefferson reveals that Bashir deliberately worked to exclude him from the decision-making process regarding the interview. Bashir correctly anticipated that Jefferson would have advised against giving an interview of that nature without proper preparation and as part of a broader narrative. This exclusion was part of Bashir's plan to drive a wedge between Jefferson and Diana.

Jefferson only discovered this 25 years later, through Andy Webb's research and the Dyson inquiry. He recalls noticing a change in Diana's attitude towards him in late 1995 and early 1996. He now understands this behavior through her eyes, believing he was betraying her, which he finds "scary and very painful." He reflects on Diana's statement in the Panorama interview, "I believe in keeping my enemies confused," and wonders if she saw him as an enemy.

Jefferson's Resignation and Diana's Death

Jefferson struggled to understand the cause of the breakdown in their working relationship, as he couldn't identify any specific action or inaction on his part. When it became clear that the situation wouldn't improve, he resigned, stating that their working relationship had broken down. He describes the atmosphere for courtiers in St. James's Palace during that period as unhappy, with many feeling compelled to leave.

He learned about Diana's death on August 31, 1997, while at home. He received a message from a Fleet Street newspaper editor, prompting him to turn on the television and discover the news. He describes feeling numb but experiencing a profound sense of loss, which he has spent years processing. Andy Webb's revelations have aided this process, providing relief.

The "What Ifs" and Diana's Vulnerability

When asked if Diana would have been killed if the Bashir interview hadn't happened, Jefferson acknowledges the speculative nature of "what ifs" but deems some legitimate. He believes that by believing Bashir's lies, not only about him but about others close to her, Diana became susceptible to further deception. This eroded her confidence in the "royal machine," which, despite its occasional irksomeness, served the purpose of keeping royals safe and enabling them to perform their duties. He argues that Diana's decision to place herself in the hands of incompetent individuals in Paris significantly increased the risk of a tragic outcome.

The Aftermath of Diana's Death and Jefferson's Vindication

Jefferson had already moved on with his life after resigning in 1996, accepting that his future would be without Diana's direct involvement. He viewed her death with a sense of detachment as a spectator, though he was involved in providing commentary. His primary concern was for William and Harry, whose lives would become infinitely more difficult without their mother's guidance.

He notes that the forces hostile to Diana during her life intensified their efforts after her death, attempting to portray her as mentally incapable. He felt it was necessary to write his book about his time with her to address this imbalance and ensure his perspective was included in the historical record. He obtained clearance from the Queen's lawyers and a nod from the Queen's office before publishing, and he states that his account has been vindicated by subsequent revelations.

In 2022, Jefferson received substantial damages from the BBC, which he donated to the TFAN children's hospice, a charity Diana had patronized. He doesn't feel the vindication came too late, believing things happen when they are meant to and that he has not spent the intervening years feeling sorry for himself. He views the donation as a way to turn a negative experience into something of lasting good, perpetuating Diana's memory.

Resolution and Bashir's Legacy

Jefferson expresses that while he and Diana were unhappy with each other at the time of his resignation for reasons that were not clear then, he hopes she now has a different view, and he feels a sense of resolution. He credits Andy Webb's work for answering many questions that had troubled him and others for a long time, seeing it as a tribute to Diana's ability to bring positive outcomes from difficult situations.

Regarding Martin Bashir, Jefferson states he doesn't think about him much, preferring to focus on positive things. He hopes Bashir's role is now properly understood and that the harm he caused can be corrected. He leaves judgment to others and Bashir's conscience.

Diana's True Stature and the Monarchy's Future

Jefferson speculates on what Diana might have thought of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's situation, but ultimately refrains, emphasizing the loss of a true understanding of Diana's relationship with her sons due to Bashir's lies. He believes she was "so much more than shy die or Diana the the the charity queen." He asserts she was a "substantial royal figure in her own right" and "was going to be the next queen." He suggests it's not impossible she would still have been queen, and her sons have much to regret not being able to observe firsthand how she handled her responsibilities.

He challenges the common perception of Diana as a fragile figure swept along by events, arguing that this impression was cultivated by her critics. He portrays her as a "canny and intelligent" woman with a clear-eyed understanding of her future role and her eldest son's, and a great admirer of the monarchy's potential for good, particularly for the marginalized. He highlights her effectiveness as a solo royal ambassador for the UK, promoting British interests abroad through diplomacy and trade, not just charity. He laments that her family and the family she married into failed to take her seriously, denying the country an enormous asset.

Finally, Jefferson addresses the current challenges facing the monarchy, including recent health diagnoses, the Duke of York's exile, and declining poll numbers. He believes there have been a succession of poor decisions in managing the "royal brand" and institution. He notes the monarchy's reliance on a "bottomless reservoir of goodwill" from the British people as an expression of patriotism, and that significant damage has been done to this relationship, making repair an uphill task.