Diana's Flatmates and friends

[adelgal_36]

for years i have always wondered what has become of diana's flatmates. the flatmates: carolyn bartholomew(nee pride), ann hill(nee bolton) and virginia pittman. i am interested to know what has become of them . last i read about carolyn was according to 'friend' of diana's simmone simmons diana apparently had a fallout with carolyn. as for ann i do know she is still married to noel hill and still lives here in australia. prince harry stayed at their farm when he was in australia a couple of years ago. virginia pittman i have no idea what has become of her. does anyone know? be interested to know what they have done in regards to careers etc

[maryshawn]

I'll try and research the others. I knew she was close to Ms. Bartholemew but Ms. Simmons says Diana became angry when she borrowed a dress than waited awhile to return it and when she did, it was in shabby condition. It was auctioned off by Christie's however (it was on page 116 in the catalogue), the Catherine Walker lliac dress with the mult-coloured jacket. IF it had been ruined, it certainly didn't look in bad shape in the photo where Diana models it. I don't know how much to believe about this "rift"; perhaps Diana was in a bad mood that day (parting with all her dresses and thinking about their history could lead to sadness and disappointment). As far as I know, Carolyn and Diana were very much on speaking terms when Diana died--which is more than Ms. Simmons can say.

[Lady Jean]

Has anyone seen a photo or video of any of them at her funeral? I dont' recall any.

[maryshawn]

I'd read at the time Carolyn Bartholemew was definitely there but as for the others, I don't know. I don't know how true it is but several books have stated the "guest list" for her funeral was created from Diana's address/phone book.

Originally Posted by Lady Jean

Has anyone seen a photo or video of any of them at her funeral? I dont' recall any.

[smg9295]

Does anyone have information on Anne Beckwith-Smith and what she has been doing since Diana's death? She is one who has never spoken yet was with Diana since the very beginning.

[sassie]

I believe Anne Beckwith-Smith works for a prestigious art gallery in London. I imagine she's getting close to retirement, though-she is ten years older than Diana.

[Christo's Girl]

I believe that Harry stayed with either Virginia or Ann during his time in Australia that is correct. It was these three ladies that appeared to have had the longest lasting friendships with Diana. Anne Beckwith-Smith was I am sure very much missed by Diana when she left as LIW.

[Sammy]

If you look at some of the pictures from June 3, 1997 - Sotheby's I believe, Anne Beckwith-Smith is with Diana.

[Charlotte1]

When Harry came to Australia he stayed at the property in Northern NSW (?) that belonged to Diana's former flatmate Ann Hill and her husband. Ann married the son of one of Charles's friends who owns large stations ( ranches) in Australia. He's Australian, so she lives in Australia and obviously there is some contract with Diana's children but probably more due to her husband's family connections with Charles.

[Lord of Cowley]

Hello - I think this is a most interesting thread. Someone had mentioned that they did not know what had happened to Virginia Pitman. Well, I am pretty sure that she is married to Andrew Parker-Bowles, first husband of Camilla!

Weird, eh?

[Charlotte1]

Originally Posted by Lord of Cowley

Hello - I think this is a most interesting thread. Someone had mentioned that they did not know what had happened to Virginia Pitman. Well, I am pretty sure that she is married to Andrew Parker-Bowles, first husband of Camilla!

Weird, eh?

Ummm Andrew Parker Bowles's second wife's name is Rosemary! She was his long term mistress that he married after his divorce from Camilla.

[Elspeth]

The BBC seems to have got things wrong, because Virginia Pitman is mentioned as his second wife.

BBC NEWS | UK | Profile: Camilla Parker Bowles

Wikipedia has Rosemary Pitman:

BBC NEWS | UK | Profile: Camilla Parker Bowles

[aria753]

I noticed that the Duchess of Westminster and Emilie van Cutsem attended both the Concert for Diana and The Memorial for Diana. From what I have heard Diana never really like these two women, especially van Cutsem who she thought provoked the relationship between Charles and Camilla. I know Harry and William are friends with their children, but with all the talk of how Camilla should not be involced, should these two have been involved in the services? I don't think so.

[georgiea]

Remember Diana has been gone for ten years. The princes have been raised by Prince Charles. These are their friend.

[gfg02]

Photos - Diana and Rosa Monckton

Bild.T-Online.de

[GillW]

Originally Posted by sassie

I believe Anne Beckwith-Smith works for a prestigious art gallery in London. I imagine she's getting close to retirement, though-she is ten years older than Diana.

Yes, she is a fund raiser for Tate Modern. Hers is the one story I would love to read but I believe she will never write it....

[Lady Karen]

Originally Posted by Charlotte1

Ummm Andrew Parker Bowles's second wife's name is Rosemary! She was his long term mistress that he married after his divorce from Camilla.

Hi everyone!

Regarding Virginia...I remember reading in a magazine an article and photo about Diana attending the wedding of Virginia. If I remember right, it stated that Virginia was the last of Diana's flatmates to marry and her new husband had a young son...there may have been more children, but I just cannot remember.

I know that I read it in either the Royalty or Majesty magazines and I remember that she as wearing the green and white dress that she wore on her arrival for her official visit to Nigeria with Charles, so it was before their separation.

That is all I can remember...if anyone has these magazines from about 1989 to 1992, you may be able to find the article.

Hope this helps!!

Lady Kare

[CasiraghiTrio]

Originally Posted by Charlotte1

When Harry came to Australia he stayed at the property in Northern NSW (?) that belonged to Diana's former flatmate Ann Hill and her husband. Ann married the son of one of Charles's friends who owns large stations ( ranches) in Australia. He's Australian, so she lives in Australia and obviously there is some contract with Diana's children but probably more due to her husband's family connections with Charles.

Isn't her name Anne, rather than Ann? I know it's a trivial difference, but I just wanted to know for sure which spelling is correct. I believe Morton referred to her always as Anne.

[CasiraghiTrio]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

The BBC seems to have got things wrong, because Virginia Pitman is mentioned as his second wife.

BBC NEWS | UK | Profile: Camilla Parker Bowles

Wikipedia has Rosemary Pitman:

BBC NEWS | UK | Profile: Camilla Parker Bowles

Genealogy god Michael Rhodes says here that Virginia Pitman is daughter of Major Tommy Pitman (of Leyburn, Wensleydale, north Yorkshire) and she married banker Henry Clarke in 1991. It was Henry Clarke's second marriage.

I don't think there is a relationship between her and Rosemary Parker Bowles. Rosemary's maiden name was Dickinson and her first husband was a Pitman, an army guy I think.

[pinkie40]

Lana Marks, although not a long time friend of Diana, whose father died so Diana chose to vacation with Dodi, still designs purses.

I was flipping through a magazine and one of her purses (in white alligator, white 18 Karat gold and trimmed in 20 carats of diamonds) sells for over $260,000.

Yes, that figure is correct!