The Housekeeper's Diary: Charles and Diana Before the Breakup

I first heard about this book on TikTok, Matta of Fact. This creator also is on YouTube & Instagram. She has a podcast called The Art of History. Well spoken articulate young woman..the book is fascinating if you follow the Royals and Diana.

The story was intriguing. After reading the book by Paul Burrel (Diana's butler), who pretty much wrote praises about his former-boss, I wanted to get an angle of her other employees/staff to get their view on how Diana really was like to be around. This book was easy to read and entertaining at the same time. It does shatter the images the general public may have held about the famous princess that was known for her beauty and sweet outward facade. However, all the disturbing side of Diana is quite understandable, considering the madness she was going through at the time she was married to Charles. A young lady with so much expectations, feeling betrayed and abandoned by her husband and in-laws, while taking on the pressure of needing to maintain a perfect image to the ever-present camera lenses. The author writes honestly and shares the fly-on-the-wall view of what Diana was like when at home in private. Great book. This made me buy my next couple of books written by her body guards. I enjoyed learning about the private side of Diana, who ironically, was also the most public woman of our time. Diana can be cleaver and manipulative when she wanted something. You will be surprised to read about some of her tactics to accomplish her personal agendas after reading several of the books written by her close staff members.

Wendy couldn't tell her story inside of Britain, so she had to publish in the USA. It was something we really needed to have here as a balanced opinion of the British Royals, but it couldn't be. With time and now this book, the past is a little more informative now. More balanced now.

I gave this book four stars because the insider information it offers was a fascinating "fly on the wall" peek inside the marriage of Charles and Diana, and at times it really is quite a page turner.However, the reason I cannot give it a fifth star is the author's obvious dislike of Diana and the way it taints the entire book (in other words, this is more of a "look what poor Prince Charles had to put up with" book). True, it sounds like the late Princess of Wales was a bit moody, but you would think the author would have cut the poor girl some slack given what she was going through as her marriage careened toward a bitter end. The author's tone is far gentler when describing her personal interactions with Charles, even as she's mentioning how quickly he would have Camilla in the house after Diana left, the two women sometimes missing one another only by minutes. Interesting that she views him as the more sympathetic character. (And even more interesting, when describing evidence of Diana's indiscretions, she sounds far more judgemental than when talking about Charles' indiscretions!)It should be noted that Ms. Berry and other staff members were abruptly dismissed after the marriage ended. Her bitterness over that is loud and clear, and it's obvious whom she blames. (I'd probably feel the same way in her shoes, and would probably write a book, too.)If you love reading about the royals, as I do, and are looking for a page-turning read for a rainy afternoon, or something to read on vacation, definitely pick this one up. Just don't expect to find any sympathy for the late Princess.

I only wish Wendy Berry could of stayed on to write more books.

I wanted the original The Housekeeper's Diary: Charles and Diana Before the Breakup banned in the UK and what do you know, I found it in Amazon and it came to me all the way from Germany in way before its scheduled delivery date. I'm late in writing a well deserved review. The book arrived in great condition and I love it!!!

Probably the best book I've read about Prince Charles and Diana. The author is not favoring one or the other, just writes what she lived through. It takes two to make a marriage and the three Diana complained about does not come across in this edition.

This is definitely an interesting read. Wendy is a fly on the wall of all the goings on at Highgrove. The problem is this book is not very analytical. Whenever Princess Diana is upset and having tantrums, she never asks the question why. She is clearly sympathetic to Prince Charles. Wendy has suffered a broken marriage herself, and yet doesn't seem to empathise with a young princess Diana dealing with a straying husband. It cannot be viewed as a neutrally written book. The ulterior motive behind the book is unclear. For instance she almost seems to ignore Camilla's role in the marriage, while we know now that she practically lived at Highgrove even before the separation. She never reveals why she wrote the book. Banned in Britain, I suspect this is another sanctioned treatice.Wendy is no Jane Austen but the book is clearly and simply written. It also gives insights into the challenges of the childhoods of the two princes caught in the middle.

Loved this book ,well worth reading ,it's changed my mind on a few things. I always knew King Charles was a good father. The book arrived safely and in good condition. Great communication from the seller.

J'étais fascinée de lire ce livre. Je pense qu'elle n'aimait pas tellement Diana et préférait de loin Charles. Ici, on voit la personnalité plutôt lunatique de Diana, et le côté égoiste de Charles ainsi que leur amour pour Harry et William. Dommage qu'elle n'a pas dit beaucoup plus de caractéristiques positives des deux. Mais très intéressant à lire, même si c'est désagréable pour les enfants.

Happy that i read this book , before reading the Book by The protection Officer Ken Wharfe;Diana , Closely guarded secretThe housekeeper in Highgrove , the country house Prince Charles , during the 7 years , had kept a Diary and book was published in USA ., as it was not possible to publish in England , because of agreement signed by all workers to RoyaltyPrince Charles busy with his garden , Princess Diana and the Children Prince William , and Prince Harry were all enjoying the countryside mostly on weekends , not necessarily together .! Read and find out !

I really liked this book. It was very insightful and I learned a lot of things that I hadn't learned of before, and I read a lot of books on royalty. It was really sad to read about the marriage breakdown and all the wasted opportunities to prevent the divorce that eventually happened. I think Diana was a lot more complicated and difficult that people realize and that Charles is not quite the heartless villain has made out to be. The last paragraph of the book is the most memorable.

I enjoyed this book very much. A great insight into life behind palace doors.