How Princess Diana delivered a ‘brutal punch’ to JFK Jr. That ‘ruined’ relationship
It explores the complicated relationship between America’s closest equivalent of royalty and the British monarchy, including JFK Jr.’s fascination. for Diana at the height of her worldwide fame.
According to excerpts from the book, President John F. Kennedy’s son believed Diana would be the perfect embodiment of the mix of celebrity, politics and humanitarianism he hoped to capture through George magazine after its launch in 1995.
An insider at the publishing house said: “John saw Diana as the ultimate cultural figure of the time – someone who transcended royalty and operated almost as a political celebrity. He was incredibly determined to land her for the magazine because he believed she represented exactly what George was trying to become.”
Another source familiar with JFK Jr.’s inner circle said: “There was disappointment bordering on disbelief as Diana continued to reject him. Some people close to John felt that her refusal became a personal frustration, as he genuinely thought the partnership would have been historic for both of them.”
JFK Jr.’s close friend, artist Sasha Chermayeff, explained why the late publisher became so fascinated by the idea of starring Diana.
She said: “He tried to capture the intersection between political life and celebrity life in his magazine.”
Chermayeff added: “(Diana) was a celebrity, a royal woman with a defined role, but she also had a personal and political mission. She had ideas about how she wanted to help the world. She had her own feelings about her service, at least that’s the perspective I got from her.”
According to Diana’s former private secretary, Patrick Jephson, the princess was initially interested in the proposal.
But by the time they met JFK Jr. met at the Carlyle Hotel in New York, she apparently had a complete change of heart.
Hallemann wrote, “This particular conversation about George’s cover was over before it started,” explaining that Diana was reluctant to publicly join the magazine until it had definitively proven itself as a success.
The princess reportedly told JFK Jr., “Well, you know, this is all very nice, John. Thank you. But I hope you’ll forgive me if I don’t take the opportunity this time, but I’d like to do it, maybe for your fiftieth or your hundredth song or something.”
Despite the rejection, JFK Jr. remained. reportedly eager to involve Diana in the publication and continued to reach out over the following years.
In February 1997, just six months before she died in Paris, Diana sent him another letter politely declining his invitation while referring to the brutal media interference they both faced.
She wrote: “I hope the media leaves you and Carolyn alone. I know how hard it is, but believe it or not, the worst paparazzi are here in Europe!”
The terrifying message was addressed to JFK Jr. and his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, who themselves struggled with constant paparazzi attention before both died in a plane crash in 1999.
Diana wasn’t the only royal JFK Jr. who was chased for George.
The future King Charles, now 77, was also invited to appear in the magazine around his 50th birthday after JFK Jr. approached him during a dinner at Kensington Palace.
Charles had already appeared in the magazine alongside the Spice Girls in 1997, but reportedly avoided a special section.
Society columnist Aileen Mehle recalled that the proposal was “graciously met with something that sounded like, ‘Eh, uhm, hum, we’ll see, uh, uhm, hum.'”
Mehle added: “After all these years, (King Charles) is an expert at avoiding the pinning.”
