Diana’s VERY candid call with George Michael
Diana branded the Royal Family ‘not very loving’ in an explosive phone call to George Michael, it emerged yesterday. The princess spoke to the singer in July 1996 after he called to wish her happy birthday while high on cannabis, according to the Sun on Sunday. it was recorded by an answering machine at his home in north London. Here is a transcript of the conversation:
GEORGE: Is that Diana? DIANA: Ah, yes it is
G: How are you my darling?
D: That’s always a good question to ask me — I’m still floating, running my own ship
G: Oh really? Oh great, I’ve been away
D: Lucky you. I wish I’d been away
G: I bet
D: It’s been pretty grim, but we’re near the end of it
G: Do you think you’re going to get what you want?
D: I’m going to get three quarters of what I want and the quarter he can’t have, so there we are. Not a very loving compassionate family, this one I’m leaving, I tell you
G: Oh God, what a nightmare
D: You were very sweet to ring me up to wish me happy birthday
G: Oh, but I missed it
D: That’s quite all right (giggles)
G: Somebody reminded me. I was just in the south of France, lucky old me
D: Yes, lucky you
G: I saw last year’s or the year before an old faded copy of Vogue when they had Happy Birthday and they had you on the front. And I thought, ‘Just a minute’. I knew it wasn’t this year’s one, but it was July’s copy and suddenly I realised it was your birthday
D: Aren’t you sweet? Well thank you very much for the thought. We saw you on Elton’s film last night
G: Oh was I?
D: What was it called?
G: That’s right, he did that documentary. He invited me round to see it
D: Did he?
G: With his boyfriend. I must admit I was kind of horrified
D: (laughing) Play gooseberry . . .
G: I thought it was very entertaining. I laughed my head off all the way through it. How will people react to it? We all know him, we know his lifestyle, but they don’t see all that detail do they?
D: I know, George. The moving wardrobe was quite excessive. That got me
G: I know, I couldn’t believe that! And that shot they had of his stuff in Atlanta with those thousands of rows of shoes and everything
D: Imelda Marcos eat your heart out
G: Exactly right D: George, is life treating you kindly?
G: Fantastic at the moment, actually. It’s treating me very well D: Oh good
G: The album’s doing pretty well everywhere — actually doing great everywhere but America. I’m not really bothered about the Americans. I’m madly in love so I’m doing very well
D: Oh, lucky you
G: Lucky me
D: Lucky you
G: I got everything right at the moment
D: Amazing
G: I would love to see you
D: Well George, at the moment can I just wait until this has all quietened down? Otherwise . . .
G: Of course. Are you in meetings everyday and everything?
D: Just lawyers, you know what they’re like
G: Oh God
D: It’s OK, it’s very grown-up.