Insider knowledge

Ken Wharfe was The Princess of Wales’ protect ion officer. His insider knowledge of the goings-on in the years before and after Diana’s death make for essential reading for those interested. I thoroughly appreciated Mr. Wharfe’s recounting.

3 people found this helpful

Wonderfully accurate story

I enjoyed this book very much! Most stories about the princess tend to be biased in one way or another. This seemed to be a true personal story by a man that truly knew who Diana was as a person...good and bad. He didn’t sugar coat anything. He instead helped me to see her for the sad, broken, kind, loving, generous woman that she was. I love that Ken Wharfe himself narrated. It was as if he were sitting there beside me replaying all these memories he had of Princess Diana while we drank tea.

2 people found this helpful

Excellent

I've read a lot about Princess Diana over the years but this book stands out from the others. You get the good, the bad, and the ugly, but written with great respect. To me it was a no-nonsense account of a complicated person. I will always feel sad about her tragic end, as do many others.

I also like the fact that the author didn't demonize Prince Charles, in fact, I don't recall him trashing anyone. I know Prince Charles isn't a saint but I'm glad the author didn't resort to what some people do to sell books (trashy gossip etc) From all I've read about the Royals I think parts of Charles' life have not been easy for him, either. Who knows what would have happened if he'd been able to marry Camilla when he wanted to as a young man? Diana may still be alive. We'll never know of course.

The author did a very good job reading his work. My only wish is that it were longer but he was employed by Diana for only a couple of years so there isn't much more to say I imagine.
A good listen.

2 people found this helpful

A lot of shade thrown

I purchased this book after listening to Paul Burrell’s A Royal Duty. Sadly, Wharfe takes a different tone than Burrell, not hesitating to throw Diana under the bus. While the stories about Diana are great, they’re tainted by the complaining Wharfe does throughout the book. He seems to want to vent his grievances about former coworkers, royal family members, and anyone who irritated him on the pages. It got weird when hearing Wharfe analyzed what he felt were Trevor Rees-Jones’ failures as Diana’s bodyguard in Paris when Wharfe had essentially failed Diana months earlier by quitting his job as Diana’s bodyguard.This protector of Diana seems like maybe he was writing this book in a place of guilt or bitterness at not being there for Diana at the end and that tone didn’t sit well with me. Additionally, the audio was skipping at a few parts in the book. I didn’t get to hear about 3/4 of chapter 6. Being that it’s only a 4 hour listen, it wasn’t worth my time to delete and download again.

1 person found this helpful

Excellent

Credible content delivered by excellent narration. The author / narrator speaks from direct experience with great clarity, respect and professionalism.

1 person found this helpful

Ending of last leg of the audiobook

The audio skipped and made certain things being said inaudible. Disappointed at the end. Refund.

1 person found this helpful

not the best Diana book

This book is just okay, not great
Fans who have read a number of these Diana books won't find a new or interesting perspective here.

1 person found this helpful

Facts are questionable

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The author is the narrator and his delivery is very good (maybe it's just because of his great British accent). I'm suspect of all of the facts in his books (especially since many credible people have proven him wrong), but it was still interesting to relive parts of her life. I don't agree that anyone in his position (law enforcement protection of any political or VIP person) should ever write a book about anything that occurs in private. Ever. I thought the book would be more of a historical walk down memory lane, not a book about private conversations (alleged conversations). I think when people in his position reveal behind the scenes information, they put the safety of their coworkers, former coworkers, and the people they protect in grave danger because it destroys trust between the protected and the protectors. The safety of those people depend on trust.

Would you ever listen to anything by Ken Wharfe again?

No. He does little to contain the bitterness in his voice when his relationship with Diana and the royals began to fall apart.

Was Diana: Closely Guarded Secret worth the listening time?

Not really. I would not recommend the book despite all of the great reviews.

3 people found this helpful

Diana: Closely Guarded Secret

I liked that Mr. Wharfe seemed to have written his book in a way that made the “Princess” look human with her many wonderful characteristics and her flaws as well! Cheers

One.of.the best books by someone in her employ

I have read a lot of books about both the Princess and the prince. Ken Wharfe has written a fair.assessment on her and her marriage. He neither worships her or demonized her. He also does spend all his energy patting himself on the back and attempting to bask in her reflective glory. I wish him well in his future.