According to a former advisor, King Charles and Princess Diana's relationship was not simple as people may think.

If you're a regular follower of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/the-crown-season-5-netflix-prince-philip-countess-penelope-knatchbull-controversy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Crown</a> or royal history through internet news, you're likely to believe that <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/prince-charles-actor-new-princess-diana-movie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">King Charles</a> was the one to blame for the end of his and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/princess-diana-best-quotes-last-words" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Princess&nbsp;Diana</a>'s marriage, right? However, revelations from a former royal officer indicate that the story may be a little different. In 2022, former bodyguard Allan Peters introduced a new version of events that claims that the first to become involved in an extramarital relationship was <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/princess-diana-favorite-sunglasses" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diana</a>.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana Wedding Day on July 29, 1981

Peters presented a retelling of events that, though <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/politics-culture/prince-charles-camilla-parker-bowels-royals-scandal-diana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">King Charles and Queen Camilla</a> had been involved prior to him meeting <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/princess-diana-looks-to-inspire-your-fall-wardrobe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diana</a>, they did not reunite romantically until after the then-prince learned his wife was having an affair with her bodyguard, Barry Mannakee.

Getty Images

Peters, who worked in the Princess' services for nearly a decade, said in a CNN documentary that "the popular perception is that the Prince of Wales was getting lost throughout the entire <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/how-princess-diana-prince-charles-broke-royal-traditions-wedding-marriage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">marriage</a>&mdash;and that is definitely, unequivocally, not the case. The first person to go astray was the Princess, and he saw Mrs. Parker Bowles again after he learned of [Diana's] affair with Mannakee."

Author Jonathan Dimbleby gave a similar account in his 1994 biography of King Charles claiming that <a href="https://www.revistalofficiel.com.br/pop-culture/qual-historia-do-principe-charles-que-the-crown-nao-exibira">he and Parker-Bowles</a> didn't rekindle their relationship until 1986. Mannakee started working for Diana in 1985 and their affair would have started that year, during a trip to Scotland.

Lady Di's alleged affair with her bodyguard ended in tragedy, as, upon discovery of their relationship, Mannakee was transferred to the Diplomatic Protection Squad. He&nbsp;died a year later in a car accident.

Photo: Getty Images

Although it is unquestionable that Diana's relationship with Mannakee came first, it is worth mentioning that the princess also had an affair with James Hewitt, her former riding instructor. Due to their shared freckles and reddish hair, there were rumors circulating at the time of Hewitt being <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/prince-harry-dating-history-marriage-meghan-markle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prince Harry</a>&rsquo;s father. Even King Charles poked fun at the situation, as we learned in the Prince&rsquo;s recent bombshell memoir, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/politics-culture/prince-harry-book-spare-bombshells-meghan-markle-royal-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spare</a>. The king jested, &ldquo;Who knows if I&rsquo;m even your real father?,&rdquo; which <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/young-prince-harry-real-father-last-name" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prince Harry</a> found to be &ldquo;remarkably unfunny.&rdquo;

Who Cheated First: King Charles or Princess Diana?

Tags

Related Articles

Pop culture

10 Times Princess Diana and Prince Charles Broke Royal Traditions in Their Marriage

Pop culture

The 8 Most Extravagant Celebrity Weddings of All Time

Fashion

Taylor Swift Wore a Look Inspired by Princess Diana's Revenge Dress

Recommended posts for you

Fashion

Dior Will Present Pre-Fall Men's Show in Hong Kong SAR

Film & TV

Best Royal Tiara Moments in 'The Crown'

Pop culture

Young Photos of JFK Jr.

Fashion

Alessandro Michele’s Most Radical Moments at Gucci

Fashion

Take Your Winter Wardrobe Over the Top

Shopping

Wrap Yourself in Luxury With Cozy Cashmere Scarves This Season

Fashion

Miley Cyrus' Style Evolution

Fashion

Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2024 Men's Show to be Staged at Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong