Former Bodyguard Ken Wharfe Tells Dateline “Diana, In My View, Would Have Been Alive Today” if Queen Insisted She Retain Security
Broadcast Features First US Interview with Paris Police Chief
“The Life and Death of Princess Diana: A Dateline Investigation” Airs Friday, May 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, 8 p.m. CT
May 2, 2017 – In a new, two-hour “Dateline NBC” this Friday, Princess Diana’s former bodyguard Ken Wharfe opens up about Diana’s decision to forgo security after her divorce from Prince Charles. “There’s only one person that could – in my view – that could have insisted that she retain her security, and that would have been the Queen,” Wharfe said. “If the Queen had insisted that she retain that security then we wouldn’t be having this discussion because Diana, in my view, would have been alive today.” To watch the preview, click here. Andrea Canning reports in “The Life and Death of Princess Diana: A Dateline Investigation,” airing Friday, May 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, 8 p.m. CT.
Diana’s close confidant James Colthurst also spoke to Canning about Diana’s concerns regarding Charles’ relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles. “Her big fear was that this is not a substitute mom for the boys. That they would try to sideline Diana and that Camilla might use her post,” Colthurst said. To watch the preview, click here. The transcripts of the interview excerpts are included below.
“The Life and Death of Princess Diana: A Dateline Investigation” features intriguing details about Diana’s troubled marriage, turbulent life in the monarchy, love affairs, tragic death and ensuing investigation. The two-hour special also includes the first U.S. interviews with Paris police chief Martine Monteil, forensic scientist Patrick Touron and former French diplomat Sami Nair. Additional interviews with key players include: Diana’s friend Simone Simmons, lead UK investigator Lord John Stevens, photographer Pierre Suu and reporter Richard Kay.
This year marks 20 years since Princess Diana was killed in a car accident on August 31, 1997.
###
KEN WHARFE: Whatever you want to do, you will always be Diana, the princess of Wales. The one thing that you shouldn’t give up is your security. I urge you strongly not to do that. There’s only one person that could – in my view – that could have insisted that she retain her security, and that would have been the queen herself. If the queen had insisted that she retain that security then we wouldn’t be having this discussion because Diana, in my view, would have been alive today.
###
JAMES COLTHURST: Her big fear was that this is not a substitute mom for the boys. That they would try to sideline Diana and that Camilla might use her post.
###
ABOUT DATELINE NBC
Dateline NBC is the longest-running series in NBC primetime history. Now in its 25th season, Dateline is anchored by Lester Holt, featuring correspondents Andrea Canning, Josh Mankiewicz, Keith Morrison and Dennis Murphy. Airing Fridays at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, Dateline reaches more than 20 million people every week through its broadcast, and millions more through its social media platforms. David Corvo is the senior executive producer and Liz Cole is the executive producer. Follow “Dateline NBC” on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @datelinenbc.
###
Dominique Cuce
NBC News
212-664-6192
dominique.cuce@nbcuni.com
