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Diana: Closely Guarded Secret
- Narrated by: Ken Wharfe
- Length: 3 hrs and 58 mins
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Politics & Activism
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Summary
Diana: Closely Guarded Secret became a best seller on both sides of the Atlantic.
As a member of Scotland Yard's elite Royalty Protection Department, Inspector Ken Wharfe was personal protection officer - in other words, bodyguard - to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, during the years that saw the final breakdown of her marriage and her separation from Prince Charles.
In that time he became a close friend and trusted confidant who shared her most private moments. His intimate firsthand account provides an affectionate, if not always uncritical, insight into this complex, troubled, but ultimately deeply fascinating woman.
Packed with anecdotes - and now revised with a new chapter containing material about Diana's so-called 'rock', her butler, Paul Burrell - this extraordinary account is the most intimate portrait of Diana to date and a record of the events that unfolded around her during the most crucial period of her life.
What listeners say about Diana: Closely Guarded Secret
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- A. Dailly
- 21-08-20
A new interesting account of life working with Dia
Unlike some people who have jumped on the bandwagon of writing books about the late Princess Diana, I found this account, to be interesting, respectful but honest A very insightful account of working with the princess, the good & the bad sides. Well worth a listen
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- Cec
- 06-12-18
A frank story about a loved lady loved by public
A frank written by someone who cared about Princess Diana. Listen to 4 times. already.
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- Lesley Goodman
- 05-10-18
An interesting book
Difficult to know what to believe, however out of all the people who have cashed in on the life and death of Princess Diana, Ken Wharfe would appear to be an intelligent articulate man who, while carrying out his duties as PPO was witness to the very colourful life of one of the Icons of the 20th century. He appeared to have done an excellent job of protecting Princess Diana and frankly, had he continued in that role, she would be alive today. Sadly, we will never know what truly happened on that terrible night in Paris, but Ken Wharfes' take on it is interesting and believable. A very interesting book.
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- Christine Beutner
- 27-10-19
Insider knowledge
Ken Wharfe was The Princess of Wales’ protect ion officer. His insider knowledge of the goings-on in the years before and after Diana’s death make for essential reading for those interested. I thoroughly appreciated Mr. Wharfe’s recounting.
1 person found this helpful
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- Davida Hitchcock
- 17-09-19
Ending of last leg of the audiobook
The audio skipped and made certain things being said inaudible. Disappointed at the end. Refund.
1 person found this helpful
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- Susan
- 29-07-17
Excellent
I've read a lot about Princess Diana over the years but this book stands out from the others. You get the good, the bad, and the ugly, but written with great respect. To me it was a no-nonsense account of a complicated person. I will always feel sad about her tragic end, as do many others.
I also like the fact that the author didn't demonize Prince Charles, in fact, I don't recall him trashing anyone. I know Prince Charles isn't a saint but I'm glad the author didn't resort to what some people do to sell books (trashy gossip etc) From all I've read about the Royals I think parts of Charles' life have not been easy for him, either. Who knows what would have happened if he'd been able to marry Camilla when he wanted to as a young man? Diana may still be alive. We'll never know of course.
The author did a very good job reading his work. My only wish is that it were longer but he was employed by Diana for only a couple of years so there isn't much more to say I imagine.
A good listen.
1 person found this helpful
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- TNJ
- 08-09-17
Facts are questionable
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
The author is the narrator and his delivery is very good (maybe it's just because of his great British accent). I'm suspect of all of the facts in his books (especially since many credible people have proven him wrong), but it was still interesting to relive parts of her life. I don't agree that anyone in his position (law enforcement protection of any political or VIP person) should ever write a book about anything that occurs in private. Ever. I thought the book would be more of a historical walk down memory lane, not a book about private conversations (alleged conversations). I think when people in his position reveal behind the scenes information, they put the safety of their coworkers, former coworkers, and the people they protect in grave danger because it destroys trust between the protected and the protectors. The safety of those people depend on trust.
Would you ever listen to anything by Ken Wharfe again?
No. He does little to contain the bitterness in his voice when his relationship with Diana and the royals began to fall apart.
Was Diana: Closely Guarded Secret worth the listening time?
Not really. I would not recommend the book despite all of the great reviews.
2 people found this helpful
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- Sunny Side Up
- 27-11-20
A lot of shade thrown
I purchased this book after listening to Paul Burrell’s A Royal Duty. Sadly, Wharfe takes a different tone than Burrell, not hesitating to throw Diana under the bus. While the stories about Diana are great, they’re tainted by the complaining Wharfe does throughout the book. He seems to want to vent his grievances about former coworkers, royal family members, and anyone who irritated him on the pages. It got weird when hearing Wharfe analyzed what he felt were Trevor Rees-Jones’ failures as Diana’s bodyguard in Paris when Wharfe had essentially failed Diana months earlier by quitting his job as Diana’s bodyguard.This protector of Diana seems like maybe he was writing this book in a place of guilt or bitterness at not being there for Diana at the end and that tone didn’t sit well with me. Additionally, the audio was skipping at a few parts in the book. I didn’t get to hear about 3/4 of chapter 6. Being that it’s only a 4 hour listen, it wasn’t worth my time to delete and download again.
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- Krissandra Theisen
- 31-01-20
Wonderfully accurate story
I enjoyed this book very much! Most stories about the princess tend to be biased in one way or another. This seemed to be a true personal story by a man that truly knew who Diana was as a person...good and bad. He didn’t sugar coat anything. He instead helped me to see her for the sad, broken, kind, loving, generous woman that she was. I love that Ken Wharfe himself narrated. It was as if he were sitting there beside me replaying all these memories he had of Princess Diana while we drank tea.
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- MCB3
- 03-11-19
Excellent
Credible content delivered by excellent narration. The author / narrator speaks from direct experience with great clarity, respect and professionalism.
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- Rae Parmeter
- 12-10-18
One.of.the best books by someone in her employ
I have read a lot of books about both the Princess and the prince. Ken Wharfe has written a fair.assessment on her and her marriage. He neither worships her or demonized her. He also does spend all his energy patting himself on the back and attempting to bask in her reflective glory. I wish him well in his future.
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- Karla Huntsman
- 29-04-18
not the best Diana book
This book is just okay, not great Fans who have read a number of these Diana books won't find a new or interesting perspective here.