Irish officials were informed 30 years ago that Princess Diana was more skilled than Prince Charles in managing media conflicts, according to newly disclosed documents. These documents from the Irish Government’s archives detail efforts by Diana’s team to outshine St James’ Palace during a visit by Charles to Ireland in 1995, post their separation in 1992.
The papers reveal that Charles’s team strategically used the Irish trip to enhance his public image following the separation. Alan Percival and later Sandy Henney, leading the Prince’s press operation, highlighted the visit as a significant public relations move.
In the Irish Government files, Sandy Henney was described as fiercely loyal to Charles and always seeking opportunities to support him. A memo from the Department of Foreign Affairs raised doubts about Henney’s suggestion of Diana visiting Ireland, hinting at the ongoing media rivalry between Diana and Charles.
According to Joe Hayes from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Princess Diana’s team was deemed more skilled and aggressive in media battles, focusing on overshadowing St James’ Palace. Both British and Irish officials noted that while UK coverage of the visit was positive, the attention in Ireland was much more extensive.
This information is sourced from documents in the National Archives of Ireland under file 2025/124/160.