Diana In Her Own Words tapes: Former aide claims Royals said Princess was 'mentally ill'

Now the Princess of Wales’s former aide says Channel 4 is right to show her private tapes to mark the 20th anniversary of her death.

Patrick Jephson was equerry and private secretary to Diana between 1988 and 1996, and revealed that the Royal family claimed the late Princess was “mentally ill” as their “weapon of choice”.

Speaking on the hype surrounding the broadcast, Jephson said: “I find it difficult to share some critics’ well-aired outrage over its use of videotape shot by Diana’s voice coach during their practice sessions.

“These are definitely not sneaky snapshots of a woman caught unawares, but instead show a professional public figure, methodically honing her speaking skills in front of the voice coach’s camera.

“Bewitchingly, they reveal a thoughtful and often funny Princess finding her voice as the teller of her own story. It was this rare ability to infuse her public speeches with disarming personal candour that made Diana such an effective communicator.”

He added to Radio Times: “It was a time when, with good reason, Diana felt herself to be under attack from advisers and friends of her estranged husband, who had chosen as their main weapon the accusation that she was mentally ill. Classy.

“She had every reason to be angry, trapped with the knowledge that her husband loved another woman. 

“What Diana fans should find wonderfully appealing about this film – and her critics find naggingly disconcerting – is that the figure we see on screen is unmistakably articulate, realistic, modest and fun.

“And if it takes a little longer to digest, at least it won’t have you reaching for the sick bag.”

It comes as Channel 4 defended its decision to air the controversial tapes after facing a backlash from royalists and Diana’s brother Earl Charles Spencer.

A Channel 4 spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “The excerpts from the tapes recorded with Peter Settelen have never been shown before on British television and are an important historical source.”

Kensington Palace declined to comment on the Diana tapes when approached for comment by Express.co.uk.

The full interview is available to read in the latest edition of Radio Times, which is out now.

Diana: In her Own Words airs this Sunday on Channel 4 at 8pm.