Meghan, Lady Di and the problem of being a 'free spirit' (according to her bodyguards)
The former head of security for Diana of Wales, now retired, sympathizes with the agent who a few days ago presented her resignation to protect the Duchess of Sussex
Meghan Markle is a person used to mixing with people. She did it when she was 'just' a Hollywood actress and she keeps trying now that she is a member of the British monarchy. Her attempt to always be in the town (say hello, take photos ...) is giving many headaches to those responsible for protocol and also to members of security. To the point that the Duchess of Sussex's bodyguard was leaving her work after six months in this job.
The event took place a few days ago and as published by 'Daily Mail', the agent submitted her resignation to Scotland Yard after less than a year working in the service of the exactriz. Some spoke of contrary criteria between the two although there is no evidence that there has been any direct scuffle between one and the other. Now, the same British newspaper publishes an article written by detective Ken Wharfe, who was a member of the Royal Household security for 16 years and Lady Di's bodyguard for 8 years, in which the agent sympathizes with the woman's decision. that protected Meghan until a few days ago.
The agent tells how difficult it is to protect royals like Diana and Meghan, who feel so comfortable interacting with the people and who endanger the security system around them. Ken gives as an example the walk through the market of the dukes when they visited Fiji and in which there were moments of great tension due to the great expectation that there was and because of that desire to be so close. The image in which a serious bodyguard seemed somewhat 'angry' with the duchess went around the world.
The officer, who spent so much time with a free spirit like Lady Di, knows better than anyone how difficult it is to keep someone safe who is continually breaking basic rules so that their life is not put at risk. Ken points to the fact that there was perhaps very little security: “After all, they knew that the interest in the Duchess would be enormous: she was newly married and newly pregnant. Also, extreme temperatures should have been taken into account, ”writes Ken in the newspaper.
The years with Lady Di
The agent recalled in the article how she operated in Diana's case: “It was not easy with her, she wanted to lead as normal a life as possible. Sometimes we had to park her car for her so she could go shopping and give her some money because she never carried cash, "said the ex-policeman. "She was the queen of going to air hers."
Being close to royals sometimes caused problems: “In my day, I had a bedroom in Kensington Palace, ate in the kitchen with the chefs, and chatted with the housekeeper and butlers. At times there were envies, especially from senior officers, for the relationships we established with the royal family, who always called us by our names. They didn't like that. " Sometimes letting Diana fly free had a price on her: “When she wanted to go somewhere unaccompanied, she was fine with me as long as she called me. It was about balancing her desire for privacy with her safety… There's nothing wrong with members of the royal family flying a bit free, but she got me into trouble a few times. On a private visit to the Bahamas, I did not tell Scotland Yard where we were going because the princess did not want anyone to know. However, the bosses weren't impressed when I handed them a bill for £ 3,000 for renting a house. "
