Royal enthusiasts are feeling a mix of concern and horror as Netflix’s series *The Crown* dives headfirst into some of the most controversial moments in British royal history. Season 5 stands out for its audacity, particularly with its portrayal of the tumultuous divorce between Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana. However, it also brings to light one of King Charles III’s most cringe-worthy episodes: the infamous “Tampongate.”
Back in 1993, the British media made headlines worldwide when they published a detailed transcript of a risqué phone conversation between then-Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. Their exchange was unabashedly intimate, featuring Charles whimsically suggesting he wanted to “live inside [her] trousers” and joking that if he were reincarnated, he’d return as a tampon. This scandalous moment not only confirmed long-standing suspicions about Charles’s infidelity but also added fuel to the fire of his already strained marriage with Diana.
In its depiction, *The Crown* navigates this delicate subject with a mix of humor and sensitivity. Dominic West, portraying Charles, approaches the scene with playfulness, while Olivia Williams embodies Camilla with a depth of understanding. The show cleverly frames the tampon joke less as a bizarre sexual fantasy and more as an endearing quip between two deeply connected lovers. Rather than vilifying these characters, the narrative presents them as tragic figures who simply couldn’t be together due to the harsh realities imposed by the royal family.
The series does stay true to historical events, though it glosses over some details, such as another scandalous phone call that had rocked the royals just months earlier. To understand the full scope of “Tampongate,” let’s break down what really happened.
Did Charles and Camilla truly engage in that scandalous phone conversation? Absolutely. On December 17, 1989, while both were still married, Charles and Camilla shared an unfiltered chat that ranged from mundane topics to steamy exchanges. Their flirty banter eventually caught the public’s eye in 1993 when the press released the complete transcript, making waves across tabloid headlines.
The conversation confirmed years of speculation regarding their affair, revealing a deep emotional connection between the pair that went beyond casual infidelity. In fact, their dialogue hinted at a level of intimacy typically associated with long-term partnerships rather than mere secret trysts. Beyond romantic implications, it also indicated that Charles’s circle was aware of the affair and actively aided in keeping it under wraps.
Charles himself later admitted to cheating on Diana in a documentary, claiming it occurred only after their relationship had irreparably deteriorated. Yet, the phone call showcased a side of him that was both humorous and vulnerable, sparking a duality in public perception.
What did they actually say during that notorious call? The transcript is quite revealing. For instance, Charles jestingly expressed a desire to “live inside [Camilla’s] trousers,” leading to laughter about his potential reincarnation as various feminine products, including a tampon. These snippets of flirtation and tenderness painted a picture of two people deeply in love, albeit embroiled in a scandal.
Interestingly, how did the recording come to light? Many speculated that it came from amateur radio enthusiasts; however, former Daily Mirror editor Richard Stott claimed it was recorded by a local man testing his new device. This chance encounter led to the eventual sale of the tape to the press, which kept it under wraps for years, fearing it would undermine Charles and Diana’s marriage.
The wait ended after another scandal broke involving Diana, prompting the man behind the recording to realize its potential worth. When the phone call was finally published in January 1993, it sent shockwaves through Buckingham Palace, damaging Charles’s reputation and complicating his relationship with Diana even further.
Another scandal, dubbed Squidgygate, unfolded shortly after, where a recording of Diana chatting with a friend surfaced, raising eyebrows about her own fidelity. This sequence of events highlighted the tangled web of royal relationships and the relentless scrutiny faced by the family.
In the midst of all this chaos, *The Crown* takes care to highlight the human aspects of these scandals. Actors like Dominic West have expressed their empathy towards Charles and Camilla, emphasizing how invasive and intrusive the media’s actions were in broadcasting their private lives. What might have seemed scandalous and sordid at the time is now viewed through a lens of compassion, as the call was merely an intimate conversation taken out of context.
As the drama unfolds on screen, it’s clear that the repercussions of “Tampongate” continue to resonate within the royal family. By revisiting this chapter of their lives, *The Crown* not only sheds light on a pivotal moment in history but also invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of love, loyalty, and the price of fame in the unforgiving spotlight of public scrutiny.
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