Where lies the truth? Prince Charles’s principal private secretary William Nye wrote a dusty letter to The Times about the “ill-informed speculation” on the heir to the throne off the back of Catherine Mayer’s book Charles: The Heart of a King. And to boot, Kristina Kyriacou, the Prince’s communications secretary, told this paper that “the author did not have the access she claimed”.
But Mayer herself says the drawbridge is being pulled up a little late. The editor-at-large of Time magazine launched her book at Foyles in Charing Cross Road last night to friends including the BBC’s Andrew Marr, London mayoral hopeful David Lammy, David Baddiel and Angus Deayton.
“The past days have read like a comedy of miscommunication and catcalls,” she said as she gave her thank-you speech. “I don’t suppose it’s been funny for anybody firefighting in any of the palaces. It may in the circumstances seem hideous to thank any of them by name. I don’t want to do that. But of many friends there is one person who I thank by name in the book, so it’s too late to spare her. So I will thank Kristina Kyriacou. Contrary to recent reports, we have spoken recently and cordially.” Mayer had a sit-down meeting with Prince Charles at Dumfries, and followed him on international tours, but further contact is not specified. Kyriacou confirms they spoke but reiterates access was limited.
As a footnote, today’s Times has a letter from Philip Moger. “As programme editor at ITN I was involved in the coverage of Andrew Morton’s book on the Princess of Wales,” he writes. “I well recall the furore and the denials. Subsequently, the book was found to be not only broadly accurate but the princess herself was one of the main sources. Royal spokesmen have form in these matters.”