Charles book fury
Courtier family’s anger as exposé ‘rakes up’ rape tapes scandal
THE family of a courtier who said he was raped by an associate of Prince Charles are furious at an explosive new book detailing the scandal.
Rebel Prince by Tom Bower – out next week – is expected to repeat George Smith’s claim and to tell how he also saw the same person performing a sex act.
Charles’ wife Diana is said to have made two recordings of the Falklands War veteran making his claims, but one has since vanished.
A Palace investigation called his claims “fiction”.
The divorced dad-of-two died aged 44 in 2005.
His father Peter, 86, said yesterday: “Our family went through hell at the time and there’s nothing to gain by going into the whole thing again. He is dead and gone now. We just want George to rest in peace.”
The retired driving instructor, from Newport, South Wales, added: “My son was not a liar. But the whole thing was covered up and George was left hanging in the wind. People higher up the social scale didn’t back him.”
George’s sister Suzanne Shaw, 61, said: “We’re furious this is being raked up. We want to get on with life and remember George as a loved family member.”
The book is thought to focus heavily on Diana’s butler Paul Burrell, who police believed may have had the missing tape.
Charles was said to be “concerned” that sons William and Harry would have to give evidence at his theft trial in 2002. Burrell was eventually cleared. Bower reveals secrets about Charles’ marriage to Diana and his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, and details some of his eccentric behaviour.
Before one visit to a friend in north-east England, Charles sent staff up a day early in a truck with furniture to replace the “perfectly appropriate fittings” in the guest rooms.
The lorry contained Charles and Camilla’s complete bedrooms – including his orthopaedic bed and linen – a radio, his own loo seat, Kleenex Premium Comfort toilet paper, Laphroaig whisky, bottled water and two landscapes of the Highlands.
Charles is said to be angry at the release of the book weeks before son Harry’s wedding. And he fears it could lead to a public backlash against himself.
There was a cover-up and my son was left hanging in the wind PETER SMITH DAD OF LATE ROYAL AIDE GEORGE