Lady Di’s sad tale becomes a biography for children (with a chapter on bulimia)

2023-08-12 10:18:33

Time.news – Princess Diana’s battle against bulimia will be at the center of a biography of Princess Diana for the little ones in the ‘Little People, Big Dreams’ series. And so even the little ones will know, in addition to her story, an aspect that has remained secret for years of the “most loved princess in the world”.

The book will be released on September 7 and, anticipates The Telegraph, will contain some pages dedicated to Lady Di’s messy eating habits. “Whenever she felt alone, she sought relief by eating all the cakes she could find in the royal kitchens,” reads a caption below an illustration, the princess, sadly cradling an empty plate, next to a kitchen table with a tray of bonbons. “But that sweet feeling of comfort didn’t last long. Once she was gone, she would try to get rid of all the food she had gobbled up until she was sick.”

Princess Diana Spencer (apf)

The book also describes the ‘gap’ between the princess’s private and public life: ‘Even though her life seemed like it came from the pages of a fairy tale, Diana soon realized that the prince’s heart belonged to someone else. And over the course of time that sadness became an eating disorder called bulimia“.

And it talks about the work and the effort of the princess to face the problem and then also talk about it in public, in order to raise awareness of the disorder in others as well: “It took her time to seek help, learn to love herself, and stop hurting her body. But once she did, she felt as good as she’s ever been.”

In the UK, during the tumultuous years of Diana’s life, rumors abounded about her eating disorders; but it was only in the interview with Panorama, in 1995, with Martin Bashir that she spoke about it publicly and with an open heart. “I’ve had bulimia for a number of years, and it’s like a secret disease.” “You inflict it on yourself because your self-esteem is low and you don’t think you’re a worthy and valuable person. You stuff your stomach four or five times a day – some do it more – and that gives you a feeling of comfort”.