In the latest episode of the Daily Mail’s podcast series “Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things,” royal experts Robert Hardman and Kate Williams delve into the captivating life of Diana, Princess of Wales. This episode marks the beginning of a three-part exploration, chronicling Diana’s journey from her early days near the Sandringham Estate to her iconic wedding at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The announcement of Diana’s engagement to Prince Charles in 1981 was met with widespread excitement by both the Royal Family and the public. However, historian Kate Williams reveals that not everyone was swept up in the fairy tale narrative. Among those who harbored concerns was a pivotal figure in Diana’s life—her maternal grandmother, Ruth Roche, Baroness Fermoy.

The Baroness was not only a trusted confidante to the Queen Mother but had also served as Woman of the Bedchamber for over three decades. Rumors swirled that she played a role in orchestrating Diana’s marriage to the future King. Despite her outward appearance of support for the union, she privately advised her granddaughter against marrying Charles.

Ruth Roche, Baroness Fermoy, was Diana’s maternal grandmother and one of the Queen Mother’s most trusted confidantes.

She had served as Woman of the Bedchamber to the Queen Mother for 33 years and was rumoured to have orchestrated her granddaughter’s marriage to the future King.

Despite her public support of the union, in private the Baroness warned Diana against marrying Charles.

By the time of her death in 1993, Fermoy was estranged from her granddaughter, having sided with the Royal family following Diana’s separation from Charles.

The podcast explores the buildup to Diana’s marriage and the unheeded advice about what lay ahead.

While the nation was thrilled by news of Diana’s engagement to Charles, historian Kate Williams said there was one ‘dissenting voice’ in her inner circle that saw beyond the fairy tale

Despite her public support of the union, in private the Baroness Fermoy (pictured) warned Diana against marrying Charles

On the latest instalment of the Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things podcast, royal biographers Robert Hardman and Kate Williams chart the extraordinary life of Diana, Princess of Wales 

Baroness Fermoy’s Warning to Diana

Diana was just 19 years old when she agreed to marry Prince Charles, then 32.

After a successful visit to meet the Royal family at Balmoral, Hardman described the genuine buzz within the Palace for their union.

‘Everyone was so charmed and enchanted by Diana’, the Queen’s official biographer said.

‘They think she’s got a great spirit, a lovely smile. Crucially, she’s not fazed [by the family].

‘At Balmoral, when they all go stomping up a hill, or it’s pouring with rain, or it’s time to go stalking, or to have a family barbecue – she just takes it all in stride.

‘Diana just fits in. She’s perfectly happy talking to the Queen Mother because of her grandmother. She had childhood friendships with Andrew and Edward.’

The Spencers had a longstanding tradition of association with the monarchy. First ennobled in 1603, the family served in various court positions for centuries.

They themselves were descendants of kings, with the Spencer line tracing back to the illegitimate offspring of Charles II.

Despite appearances that Diana was a ‘perfect fit’, she would later tell biographer Andrew Morton of her deep unhappiness during the engagement.

‘Diana is the only one that doesn’t seem excited about the wedding’, Williams said.

‘She was suffering from an eating disorder… I think she was very overwhelmed.

Diana was just 19 years old when she agreed to marry Prince Charles, then 32

Despite appearances that Diana was a ‘perfect fit’, she would later tell biographer Andrew Morton of her deep unhappiness during their engagement

‘Diana told her sisters that the marriage shouldn’t go ahead and they said: ‘Bad luck Dutch, your face is on the tea towels. You can’t go back.’

‘She says later that she felt like a lamb to the slaughter.’

The only person within Diana’s inner circle who sensed something was wrong was her own grandmother, Baroness Fermoy.

‘One of the only dissenting voices was the Baroness’, Williams said.

‘She said to Diana: ‘I don’t think their sense of humour or lifestyle is going to suit you.’

‘But everyone else was so swept up in the idea of marriage.’

Baroness Fermoy’s warning would prove prophetic. The marriage ended in separation in 1992, and by the time of her death in July 1993, she and Diana were no longer speaking.

In her final months, Baroness Fermoy spoke critically of Diana to the Royal Family, siding with the institution over her granddaughter.

According to royal biographer Penny Junor, she apologised to the Queen and Charles shortly before her death, admitting she had known Diana was ‘a dishonest and difficult girl.’

Listen to the first episode of the Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things series, The Diana Years now, wherever you get your podcasts – or watch on YouTube.