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Shadows of a Princess

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Shadows of a Princess

By: Patrick Jephson
Narrated by: Patrick Jephson
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About this listen

Reissued for the twentieth anniversary of Diana’s death, this sensational bestseller is an explosive account of her life, from the man who was by her side throughout its most turbulent period.

In 1981 Lady Diana Spencer was seen by many as a lifeline for the outdated Windsor line. But Diana didn’t follow the script. Instead she brought a revolution.

Patrick Jephson was Diana’s closest aide and adviser during her years of greatest public fame and deepest personal crisis. He witnessed the disintegration of her marriage to Prince Charles and the negotiation of the royal divorce.

Rooted in unique first-hand experience, Shadows of a Princess is an authoritative, balanced account of one of the world’s most famous and tragic women.

©2000, 2017 Prospect Media Ltd (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers Europe Great Britain Politics & Activism Royalty England United Kingdom

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Critic reviews

‘A compelling page-turner.’ Sunday Times

‘The most indelible, authentic word-portrait ever painted of the People’s Princess.’ Daily Mail

‘Never has so senior a servant of the Royal Family decided to reveal his secrets and rarely has one witnessed such turbulent times.’ The Times

‘Mr Jephson was a witness to significant events … he is in a position to reveal the truth.’ Daily Express

‘Jephson’s revelations are important. They are a stark corrective to the baroque fantasies constructed around the Princess immediately after her death.’ Evening Standard
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I loved the fact that it seemed so balanced and respectful. I believed every word Patrick said and I could imagine no reason for her close family and friends to be offended. Well done Patrick

The best account yet

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Patrick Jephson gives a very balanced and comprehensive picture of the Princess in all her different struggles and phases. It's honest in every way, including his painful emotions in leaving her. An excellent book.

A very balanced and comprehensive account

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Comes across as a very clear eyed account from someone who saw it all and whose job was to deal with the consequences

Very revealing

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Penned by the late Princess's Private Secretary whose tenure lasted from 1987 through to 1996 this is a well-written account of the author's working life. My only criticism is that the details of the various overseas tours got a little samey after a while.

it was clearly and articulately narrated by the author.

A balanced view

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This seemed a very measured account of the last ten years of Diana’s life.
Insightful and thought provoking.

Very thoughtful

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A brilliant book, written beautifully and so honest. It was a joy to listen to the author reading it. I loved it.

Brilliant

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I read few books about Princess Diana as I wanted to understand her as a royal and as a person. If it is your first book about Princess Diana, you should read few others too by different authors. Each book I read portray her from different perspectives and this one, in particular, shows her kinda "bad" side. What I am trying to say is that be prepared or willing to read other books about her as well or do not read any. She is a quite complicated person, or she is just pure Narcissistic personality, or she is a snob. Reading other books will help you understand for yourself who she was.

Story of a person who is like anyone else

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When I heard the opening scenario of the book it put me right off. I decided to push on through as I believed that Jephson had an authentic and valid insight into the true character and life of the Princess during his service with her. I'm glad I did. This all needed saying to offset the many sycophantic offerings about Diana on the market.
Sadly Diana was messed up and broken. Her reckless and often cruel behaviour testifies to this: but equally messed up is Prince Charles and the whole palace system. I believe that pre-existing character flaws in Diana's personality were inflamed and grew to monstrous pro portions by the foul treatment she received from Charles and the Palace when they had the care of her. This was a great dereliction of duty on their part. I hope that Jephson, who writes and narrates this with his tongue firmly in his cheek didn't suffer too badly as a result of writing this expose'.

This needed saying

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I thought this book might be interesting after I saw Patrick Jephson interviewed on a TV program. His account in this book makes sense of the brilliant, complex and emotionally injured person we all caught glimpses of. It left me feeling immensely sad and with much more compassion than before . Definitely worth investing the time to understand this chapter of our history.

Fascinating book with the clear ring of truth

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I liked the candour of the author - it’s the closest I think we will ever get to a portrait of the real Diana - I don’t believe the Queen of Hearts stuff that is peddled - I believe she was a complex human being with faults and good points - she was undoubtedly controlled by her somewhat unpredictable emotions.

The Best Account I’ve Read !

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