Newly released documents from the National Archives of Ireland have revealed that the then-Prince Charles's press secretary cautioned Irish diplomats three decades ago about Princess Diana's superior media skills during the couple's bitter public relations battle.
Sandy Henney, who served on the royal’s communications team, informed officials that the late Princess was "far more predatory and skilled" when it came to managing press coverage.
According to the files, Henney warned that Diana's staff "devoted a great deal of time to finding ways and means of upstaging St James' Palace" during the then-Prince of Wales's two-day Irish visit in June 1995.
The visit took place three years after Charles and Diana had formally separated, with the royal’s advisers viewing the Irish trip as a crucial element in a broader campaign to restore his public standing in Britain following the high-profile breakdown of their marriage.
Newly released documents from the National Archives of Ireland have revealed that the then-Prince Charles's press secretary cautioned Irish diplomats three decades ago about Princess Diana's superior media skills during the couple's bitter public relations battle.
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Charles’s press operation, headed by Alan Percival and subsequently Henney, reported back to Irish counterparts that the engagement represented "the best public outing the prince has had in a very long time".
Irish Department of Foreign Affairs records described Henney as "fiercely loyal" to Charles and constantly alert to any opportunity that might further his interests.
Department of Foreign Affairs official Joe Hayes initially believed Henney was making a joke when she raised the prospect of Diana potentially seeking her own Irish visit.
According to the files, Henney warned that Diana's staff "devoted a great deal of time to finding ways and means of upstaging St James' Palace" during the then-Prince of Wales's two-day Irish visit in June 1995.
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"I took this as a joke until she repeated it and assured me that in the media battle between the two, the princess was by far the more predatory and skilled and her staff devoted a great deal of time to finding ways and means of upstaging St James' Palace," Hayes recorded in his notes.
The documents indicate Henney was considered less attuned to political sensitivities than her more cautious colleague Percival, with officials noting she enthusiastically suggested Charles should return to Ireland before summer's end.
Both British and Irish officials concurred that press attention for the visit differed markedly between the two nations.
The documents indicate Henney was considered less attuned to political sensitivities than her more cautious colleague Percival, with officials noting she enthusiastically suggested Charles should return to Ireland before summer's end.
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Whilst Irish media provided extensive coverage of Charles's engagements, the response from British outlets was notably more muted.
Diplomats on both sides of the Irish Sea observed that UK reporting, although favourable in tone, remained "relatively light" when measured against the comprehensive attention the trip received in Ireland.
The contrast highlighted the challenges facing Charles's team as they sought to rebuild his reputation domestically, even as he enjoyed warmer receptions abroad during this turbulent period in royal history.
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