Diana and James Hewitt

[Elan]

I dont know what you mean by this. He may have been a successful soldier, but he hardly acted like an officer and gentleman in relation to Diana. A gentleman does not betray a woman's trust by confirming an afaair with her, and he certainly does not make money out of the relationship. If Will and Harry were fond of Hewitt when they were chidlren, ti makes his betrayal of their mother all the wrose.

The ungentlemanly points about him are fair game..what is unusual is when positive mention is made, it's usually pummeled into the ground pretty quickly. Reasons for it are likely tied to fact that the Monarchy is involved, so transgressions of this sort are several x's worse than they would be otherwise.

One small analogy.. Steve Mcqueen received criticism when his relationship with Ali McGraw came out, with many surprised to hear of rogue abusive behavior, and a drug habit. However, longstanding acts of kindness to an orphanage he knew well, and other sides of him were not forgotten. Whereas with Hewitt, the lens is reversed. Bad vs. good traits are positioned 100 to 1.

 

[Osipi]

The ungentlemanly points about him are fair game..what is unusual is if a positive mention of him is made, it's usually pummeled into the ground and quickly. Reasons likely are tied to the fact that the Monarchy is involved, so transgressions of this sort are several x's worse than they would be otherwise.

One small analogy.. Steve Mcqueen received criticism when his relationship with Ali McGraw came out, as many were surprised to hear of rogue abusive behavior. However, longstanding acts of kindness with orphanages, and other traits about him were not forgotten. Whereas with Hewitt, the lens is reversed. Bad vs. good traits are positioned 100 to 1.

Legally, at the time, Diana and Hewitt's love affair was a dire crime in the UK. It very well possibly could have been if the law was enforced, that Hewitt could have been arrested, tried and convicted of high treason. The law states:

"Offences constituting high treason include plotting the murder of the sovereign; committing adultery with the sovereign's consort, with the sovereign's eldest unmarried daughter, or with the wife of the heir to the throne; levying war against the sovereign and adhering to the sovereign's enemies, giving them aid or comfort; and attempting to undermine the lawfully established line of succession. Several other crimes have historically been categorised as high treason, including counterfeiting money and being a Catholic priest."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_treason_in_the_United_Kingdom

Needless to say, this was not enforced and Hewitt lived without being hung, drawn and quartered. The Crime and Disorder Act was amended in 1998, a year after Diana's death.

 

[Denville]

absurd to think that Hewitt was going to be convicted of high treason. It is the fact that he publichised teh affair himself, made money out of it and has gone on making money out of it for years after Diana was gone, that has disgusted people.

 

[Sandy345]

In this day and age, nobody would be convicted of high treason for that. Technically, Charles should have been in trouble with the military for being involved with Officer's wife Camilla Parker Bowles but he would not be punished and wasn't. Charles even turned a blind eye to Hewitt and allowed Diana to invite him to her birthday party. Charles and Diana by then were living separate lives. Hewitt should have walked away after he and Diana parted company and lived a life without "cashing in" on his relationship with Diana. I think it messed up Hewitt's personal life and he never really settled down with anybody, and his fiancee apparently broke up with him.

 

[Elan]

..Hewitt should have walked away after he and Diana parted company and lived a life without "cashing in" on his relationship with Diana. I think it messed up Hewitt's personal life and he never really settled down with anybody, and his fiancee apparently broke up with him.

With what's been said about appearances and acting in the manner of a cad, can it be asked when a show hired him, if it's safe to say a degree of 'expectation' was he could provide an element of entertainment, scandal, or light humor.. otherwise why would producers find it worthwhile to spike their ratings? He knew all too well the public had typed him as some sort of renegade, and therefore took care to not let them down, come on a show in a manner of Lord Fauntleroy.

 

[Denville]

With what's been said about appearances and acting in the manner of a cad, can it be asked when a show hired him, if it's safe to say a degree of 'expectation' was he could provide an element of entertainment, scandal, or light humor.. otherwise why would producers find it worthwhile to spike their ratings? He knew all too well the public had typed him as some sort of renegade, and therefore took care to not let them down, come on a show in a manner of Lord Fauntleroy.

what do you mean? OF course the p;ress use him to improve their ratings. He does not have to accept these offers to do interviews or appear on tv shows...

 

[Elan]

what do you mean? OF course the p;ress use him to improve their ratings. He does not have to accept these offers to do interviews or appear on tv shows...

If he was more than a little disillusioned about his romance and career path, a guess is that giving the audience what they wanted, in an entertainment medium, was possibly some form of catharsis, and a chance to regain some humor in life, playing up the character people had formed and branded of him.

 

[Roderick]

In this day and age, nobody would be convicted of high treason for that. Technically, Charles should have been in trouble with the military for being involved with Officer's wife Camilla Parker Bowles but he would not be punished and wasn't. Charles even turned a blind eye to Hewitt and allowed Diana to invite him to her birthday party. Charles and Diana by then were living separate lives. Hewitt should have walked away after he and Diana parted company and lived a life without "cashing in" on his relationship with Diana. I think it messed up Hewitt's personal life and he never really settled down with anybody, and his fiancee apparently broke up with him.

According to a documentary I saw, Hewitt could not find a job or any source of income after his relationship with Diana had gone public. He was effectively blacklisted everywhere and was desperate.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Legally, at the time, Diana and Hewitt's love affair was a dire crime in the UK. It very well possibly could have been if the law was enforced, that Hewitt could have been arrested, tried and convicted of high treason. The law states:

"Offences constituting high treason include plotting the murder of the sovereign; committing adultery with the sovereign's consort, with the sovereign's eldest unmarried daughter, or with the wife of the heir to the throne; levying war against the sovereign and adhering to the sovereign's enemies, giving them aid or comfort; and attempting to undermine the lawfully established line of succession. Several other crimes have historically been categorised as high treason, including counterfeiting money and being a Catholic priest."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_treason_in_the_United_Kingdom

Needless to say, this was not enforced and Hewitt lived without being hung, drawn and quartered. The Crime and Disorder Act was amended in 1998, a year after Diana's death.

absurd to think that Hewitt was going to be convicted of high treason.

In this day and age, nobody would be convicted of high treason for that.

Have replied in the thread The Future of the British Monarchy.

 

[Denville]

If he was more than a little disillusioned about his romance and career path, a guess is that giving the audience what they wanted, in an entertainment medium, was possibly some form of catharsis, and a chance to regain some humor in life, playing up the character people had formed and branded of him.

So not content with acting like a cad during Diana's life, he decided that he'd make a career out of being a cad after her death

 

[Heavs]

If he was more than a little disillusioned about his romance and career path, a guess is that giving the audience what they wanted, in an entertainment medium, was possibly some form of catharsis, and a chance to regain some humor in life, playing up the character people had formed and branded of him.

He still didn't *have* to choose to be a cad/indiscreet about the details of their affair, although yes once he had signed up to various TV shows/books/documentaries then he was expected to divulge juicy gossip, but he didn't have to do that in the first place.

He co operated with the book "Princess in Love" before Diana confirmed the affair in her Panorama interview. Those were both after he had left the army in 1994 and it seems he wasn't in line for promotion even before everything became public. In the army officer jobs get increasingly fewer after Major and you either go up or out.

He has tried his hand at various business opportunities and self employment but those seem to fail and that's often when he went back to talking about Diana or selling her correspondence. So he did have other ways of earning money even if he was blackballed by some connections or firms in the usual post army path for "gentlemen".

The most egregious was when he participated in the "Am I Harry's biological father?" nonsense, having previously said it was impossible and dragging a grieving teenager/young man into his quest for money.

 

[Denville]

He still didn't *have* to choose to be a cad/indiscreet about the details of their affair, although yes once he had signed up to various TV shows/books/documentaries then he was expected to divulge juicy gossip, but he didn't have to do that in the first place.

He co operated with the book "Princess in Love" before Diana confirmed the affair in her Panorama interview. Those were both after he had left the army in 1994 and it seems he wasn't in line for promotion even before everything became public. In the army officer jobs get increasingly fewer after Major and you either go up or out.

He has tried his hand at various business opportunities and self employment but those seem to fail and that's often when he went back to talking about Diana or selling her correspondence. So he did have other ways of earning money even if he was blackballed by some connections or firms in the usual post army path for "gentlemen".

The most egregious was when he participated in the "Am I Harry's biological father?" nonsense, having previously said it was impossible and dragging a grieving teenager/young man into his quest for money.

It was the fact that he did divulge his affair with Diana for money that resulted in a certain amount of "blackballing. " If he hadn't done that, he could have gotten other jobs after leaving the army. he did not get on in the army because he kept failing promotion exams.. But once he left and only had a modest pension that's when he started to Milk the Diana affair...

 

[Sandy345]

He seems to have made many bad investments. And apparently squandered the money he got from the book deals.

 

[Elan]

He seems to have made many bad investments. And apparently squandered the money he got from the book deals.

Finance is not everyone's strong suit, but the point is well taken.

Still, it's surprising how comfortable most are with the basic idea of a Cavalry officer atop his mount, reaching out a hand to a beleaguered, emotionally ailing Princess..her spiraling is arrested, and as things further improve, the fellow is eventually deemed less than suitable when contrasted with a world of high profile candidates? For someone of a caring and sensitive nature that Diana was known for, it's unsettling and sobering to be observing only the 'very best' for herself, following Hewitt's return from Iraq.

Unless it was reasoned that other soldiers knowing of their communication was beyond the pale, as Ken Wharfe assiduously claimed, dreading with horror the notion of letters sent to him often (daily).

 

[Denville]

Finance is not everyone's strong suit, but the point is well taken.

Still, it's surprising how comfortable most are with the basic idea of a Cavalry officer atop his mount, reaching out a hand to a beleaguered, emotionally ailing Princess..her spiraling is arrested, and as things further improve, the fellow is eventually deemed less than suitable when contrasted with a world of high profile candidates? For someone of a caring and sensitive nature that Diana was known for, it's unsettling and sobering to be observing only the 'very best' for herself, following Hewitt's return from Iraq.

Unless it was reasoned that other soldiers knowing of their communication was beyond the pale, as Ken Wharfe assiduously claimed, dreading with horror the notion of letters sent to him often (daily).

Im not at all sure what you mean by the first paragraph.. but If in your last sentence you are saying that for other soldiers to know of their affair would be a bad thing.. yes it most certainly was. Hewitt apparenetly waved around her letters boasting when he got one from home - a "blue letter" and in his doing that, it was very possible that others would soon find out who was in touch with him. He also borrowed a journalists mobile phone to call her. If you can't see that this was appalling indiscreet behaviour which might well lead to the discovery of hte affair by a lot of people, I can't understand that. Diana wasn't just any married woman. She was the wife of the POW..
His revelation of the affair terrified her becuase she feared that if she was trying ot divorce Charles, yet keep a public position, the public might turn against her if she were known to be having an affair..

 

[Osipi]

Even if Diana had been Mrs. Jane Smith married to a ordinary citizen, Hewitt's behavior was below the standards of what was the code of conduct for an officer and a gentleman. Hewitt's flaunting his affair actually put his career in the military in jeopardy.

"Married or single officers who engage in adulterous affairs "jeopardize their status as an officer should the circumstances of the affair become public, and if it brings either the officer or the Army into disrepute."

https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/b...ingle officers who,or the Army into disrepute."

The heart wants what the heart wants but in this case, I believe both Diana and Hewitt were playing with fire. Diana, unlike most women entering into an extramarital affair, probably had the idea fixed in her head that there could be no divorce and by the time she hooked up with Hewitt, it seemed like it was the *only* option and way to go about finding a shred of happiness and companionship.

I can't lay all the blame on Hewitt. It takes two to tango.

 

[Denville]

Of course his behaviour was shocking in his lack of care for his girlfriend. And it would have been bad had she been an ordinary woman but as the Princess Of wales, her having an extramarital relationship and its being revealed would not just embarrass her among her own circle but around the world. And Hewitt knew that -
Diana was not able to wlak out of an unhappy marriage and get a divorce like an ordinary woman, her only consoltation in her marriage was that she could quietly lead a separate life to her husband and have an affair provided she was very discreet. However because she was so popular with the press, they were noticing how much time she spent apart from Charles and so the living apart wasn't easy.. and she could have an affair but she had to be discreet and Hewitt wasn't discreet. He was quite the opposite. I cant' understand how anyone could defend him.

 

[QueenMathilde]

I never thought Hewitt was a good person. My understanding is now he's had a stroke and is in poor condition so I don't suppose he will be talking about Diana anymore.

 

[Denville]

I never thought Hewitt was a good person. My understanding is now he's had a stroke and is in poor condition so I don't suppose he will be talking about Diana anymore.

he had a stroke about 2 years ago. I am not sure how he is now but he hasnt appeared on any programmes for a while, However Ken Wharfe and Paul Burrell still appear talking about Diana.

 

[QueenEmpath]

he had a stroke about 2 years ago. I am not sure how he is now but he hasnt appeared on any programmes for a while, However Ken Wharfe and Paul Burrell still appear talking about Diana.

I personally don't find Paul Burrel genuine. he comes across as very self serving and opportunistic person

 

[Denville]

I personally don't find Paul Burrel genuine. he comes across as very self serving and opportunistic person

yes of course he is....

 

[QueenEmpath]

yes of course he is....

He seems to always play the gay BFF card whom princess Diana used to confide. When it was clearly proven by people that he and Diana weren't close

 

[Elan]

Of course his behaviour was shocking in his lack of care for his girlfriend. And it would have been bad had she been an ordinary woman but as the Princess Of wales, her having an extramarital relationship and its being revealed would not just embarrass her among her own circle but around the world. And Hewitt knew that -
Diana was not able to wlak out of an unhappy marriage and get a divorce like an ordinary woman, her only consoltation in her marriage was that she could quietly lead a separate life to her husband and have an affair provided she was very discreet. However because she was so popular with the press, they were noticing how much time she spent apart from Charles and so the living apart wasn't easy.. and she could have an affair but she had to be discreet and Hewitt wasn't discreet. He was quite the opposite. I cant' understand how anyone could defend him.

Today, he'd be the first person to agree with you on failings. It seems certain he carried a false confidence with her profound declarations of love in the letters, which proved not entirely genuine imo. If she truly adored him, she would not have kept adding up ettiquette breaches as everyone here does now. Consider the opposite, a woman might even celebrate his actions if she deeply loved him..or at least in theory it's possible when a woman has found a soulmate.. not carp, and rant about his ettiquette misteps, because she interprets it differently. Add to it the stress of serving overseas, along with receiving an avalanche of prose, on practically a daily basis..

To many that doesn't excuse it at all, but it might clarify some of the context.

 

[Denville]

Today, he'd be the first person to agree with you on failings. It seems certain he carried a false confidence with her profound declarations of love in the letters, which proved not entirely genuine imo. If she truly adored him, she would not have kept adding up his ettiquette breaches as everyone here does now. Consider the opposite, a woman might even celebrate his actions if she deeply loved him..or at least in theory it's possible when a woman has found a soulmate.. not carp, and rant about his ettiquette misteps, because she interprets it differently. Add to it the stress of serving overseas, along with receiving an avalanche of concern for him, on practically a daily basis..

To many that doesn't excuse him at all, but it might clarify some of the context.

What do you mean? these were not "etiquette mis steps". His actions were selfish, and treacherous. I've never heard of Diana "totting up his etiquette mis steps". Any one would think she was writing to tell him of all the times he had worn the wrong shoes or slurrped his soup at dinner. She wrote love letters to him, when he was serving because she cared for him and worried about him.
She grew uneasy because of his behaviour in the Gulf when he waved around her letters and borrowed a journalists phone to call her.. Can you not see that that was appalling behaviour? He might as well have taken an ad in the paper saying "Im bonking the Princess of Wales.."
And IMO Hewitt has never expressed any genuine being sorry for his behaviour.... He knows he's despised for the way he behaved, publicising their affair, telling things that she told him in confidence, making a career out of having been her lover for a bit.. and he doesn't care because he made a living out of it.. and went on doing it....

 

[Elan]

What do you mean? these were not "etiquette mis steps". His actions were selfish, and treacherous. I've never heard of Diana "totting up his etiquette mis steps". Any one would think she was writing to tell him of all the times he had worn the wrong shoes or slurrped his soup at dinner. She wrote love letters to him, when he was serving because she cared for him and worried about him.

Are you sure you're not interpreting or attributing them as treacherous, rather than it being something very different. Treachery..? You mention she cared for him and did send wonderful words, but other than that I'm not sure what exists to prove by 'action or deed' she truly loved him..

 

[Denville]

Are you sure you're not interpreting or attributing them as treacherous, rather than it being something very different. Treachery..? You mention she cared for him and did send wonderful words, but other than that I'm not sure what exists to prove by 'action or deed' she truly loved him..

No Im saying that he was treacherous. He knew that Diana needed to be ultra discreet about any affairs she had, and he deliberately hinted about his affair with her and then sold the story to the media. What can that be, but treacherous? And it does not matter whether she loved him or it was just a light affair. For Diana it was difficult to engage in any extra marital activity and she was afraid that if the story got out it might ruin her reputation with the public and hand a weapon to the RF if there was a divorce.
I dont know what you mean by your last sentence. I think she was in love with him for a time, she wrote to him when he was away, she bought him presents, she made a fuss of him. He repaid that by selling their love story for money. If you doubt that she loved him, I don't know how you can imagine, given his behaviour that he loved her or that he even showed her common decency....

 

[Rayal]

Its one thing to talk about a common affair after the break up...but there was nothing common about Diana and her position. If you look up the word 'cad' in the dictionary there you will find his picture. Put aside failing the 'Major's Exam' three times, being arrested for cocaine, or even his failed forays into business and instead just focus on him trying to sell her letters for ten million pounds...that is unforgivable. The princess valued loyalty and was high on her list with friends and even lovers. Why he did it was a great lack of common sense, and has finalized his family legacy.

 

[Elan]

..For Diana it was difficult to engage in any extra marital activity and she was afraid that if the story got out it might ruin her reputation with the public and hand a weapon to the RF if there was a divorce.

Her life did have those concerns, but a beautiful opportunity presented itself to show what the words really meant -- behind the letters as far as resolve, staying power, courageousness, etc..

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/257690409902224726/

 

[Denville]

Her life did have those concerns, but a beautiful opportunity presented itself to show what the words really meant -- behind the letters as far as resolve, staying power, courageousness, etc..

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/257690409902224726/

What do you mean? What beautiful opportunity? For whom? Do you mean for J Hewitt or for Diana? He was having an affair with a married woman who had far more to lose than other women, if her affair became public. He sold the story, for money. How can anyone defend that?

 

[Elan]

What do you mean? What beautiful opportunity? For whom? Do you mean for J Hewitt or for Diana? He was having an affair with a married woman who had far more to lose than other women, if her affair became public. He sold the story, for money. How can anyone defend that?

Since the book was not a part of returning home, let's highlight the calls from the desert and piles of letters for the moment? No book deals happened in Iraq. As I've suggested, I don't believe there was a deep abiding love from her, even if he been 'the perfect gentleman'.

So imagine Diana had decided she would spend the rest of her life with him, 'in spite' of public fallout to her from this, (assuming she loved him). It would have required a different type of spirit, determination, and braveness to do such a thing. To not be consumed by what the press says in the short term, including the purported waving of letters around. Ignoring everyone that implored her NOT to write him, for abject fear that her private thoughts would be known to others.

Her reputation would have continued to flourish, and I guarantee you she would have been widely applauded for doing so, in a short time. That kind of tenacity, gutsiness in the face of adversity, is uncommon.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/257690409902224726/