The conversation is the subject of an episode of the new season The crown. A look back at the case that tarnished the image of the heir to the English crown in 1993.
January 1993: Buckingham Palace shakes. A late-night and (very) intimate phone call between Charles III, then Prince of Wales, and his mistress Camilla Parker-Bowles, now Queen Consort, has been leaked to the press. The content of their appeal, for the less daring, was published in the tabloid People, 17 January 1993. The scandal was enormous, public opinion was shaken and the image of the Crown tarnished. Especially since the separation of Charles and Diana was officially announced just one month ago, on December 9, 1992.
In the video: the first teaser of season 5 The crown
“I want to live in your pants”
In the voiceover, the Prince of Wales’ offers are unequivocal: “I want to live in your pants.” “Do you want to become a panty?” answers his lifelong lover, a little amused. “Or, God forgive me, Tampax,” replies the father of Princes William and Harry. “You are a real idiot. What a great idea!” Camila adds cheerfully. Minutes pass and during the phone conversation the couple laments the distance that separates them and the time that passes without seeing each other. Not being able to live their passion in broad daylight. “You bear all these indignities, tortures and slanders,” laments Charles. And for good reasons. at the time, there were rumors in England of an extramarital affair that Elizabeth II’s eldest prince would have with his tender and much-loved girlfriend, Camilla Parker-Bowles. “I would suffer everything for you. This is love. That’s the power of love,” reassures Camila.
The call that scandalizes England
Awkwardness abounds at Buckingham Palace. But as they say, we refuse to comment. “Never explain, never complain.” For their part, the tabloids are making a big fuss. In particular, we learn that during this daring exchange recorded in 1989 without their knowledge, Charles had not yet separated from Princess Diana. And Camilla, who is still in a relationship with Andrew Parker-Bowles.
The scandal cannot tarnish the image of the British monarchy, which is already on the front pages of tabloids. It must be said that the Charles-Diana couple, whose relationship is collapsing under the eyes of the whole world, is obsessed with the media of the kingdom. Much to the chagrin of Queen Elizabeth II, who at the time saw three of her four children divorced.
Staged The crown
Years have passed. Still, what the British have dubbed “Tampon Gate” still makes the Windsors feel uneasy, especially Charles III and Camilla, who has since become his wife and queen. And there is no doubt that the episode The crown won’t bring back good memories. “At the time, I thought it was kind of disgusting and deeply, deeply embarrassing,” said Dominic West, who plays Charles in Season 5 of the Netflix series. Entertainment Weekly .
In the video, Camilla Mountbatten-Windsor gives an intriguing wink to her bodyguard
“Thinking about it and having to play it, you realize that it wasn’t the fault of these two people, these two lovers who had a private conversation,” the 53-year-old British actor continues. It is very clear today how invasive and obnoxious the media attention was because we printed word for word (this conversation) while it was possible to call to hear the original recording. I think it made me feel extremely sympathetic to both of them and what they’ve been through.”
Source: Le Figaro
