Princess Diana popularity ‘deeply resented’ by royal family

Princess Diana built a relationship with the public; other members of the royal family did not, according to David Dimbleby.

That is why the late princess represented a deeper problem for the traditional royal family, the veteran broadcaster explained.

According to Dimbleby, "Diana was a prime example of someone who didn't act like the rest of the Royal Family."

"She was fresh, new and exciting to the public, and they really adored her," he told the BBC.

"And that was deeply resented in the Palace. And still is," the royal expert said, who covered the family for three decades.

Dimbleby's remarks come in light of a row over what then-Prince Charles said and what Diana's brother, Earl Charles Spencer, heard after the death of the princess.

But in the TV icon view, the royal gossip is turning the attention away from the key issue and focus of everyone who says what.

"This kind of tit-for-tat over who said what, and only two people know what was actually said, just reignites all that," he said.

Then, he warned against becoming "trapped in this cycle of gossip".

Dimbleby also explained why the public gravitated toward gossip.

"People are fascinated, and I think whenever any tittle-tattle reaches the public domain, people sort of think about it in terms of their own families."

Meanwhile, Earl Spencer's memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister will drop next week.