Yahoo Lifestyle 
Princess Diana's nanny hits back at miserable childhood claims
Princess Diana's former nanny has spoken out following claims the late royal had a miserable childhood and a fractured relationship with her mother following her divorce with Diana's father.
Mary Clarke spoke to The Times about her time spent with the family, saying Frances Shand Kydd was a "lovely woman" who loved Diana and her younger brother Charles Spencer, saying she fought for them in court.
It comes after Charles spoke to the Sunday Times Magazine recently about his and Diana's "ruptured" and "agonising" childhood, saying their mother "wasn't cut out for maternity".
Diana also said in Andrew Morton's book Diana: Her True Story she was "traumatised" by the "disruption when Mummy decided to leg it".
RELATED
She had a rocky relationship with her mother and the two weren't on speaking terms before the late royal's death in 1997.
Frances lost a custody battle for Diana, Charles and their two sisters Jane and Sarah in 1968, she then tried again in 1971 but was once again unsuccessful.
She then moved to Scotland after losing the first court case and was dubbed "the bolter".
"She was a lovely person... The children spent quite a lot of time with her... They had wonderful times when they were with her," Mary said.
"The mother loved those children. Would she have put herself through that horrendous second court case if it wasn’t that she really wanted them?
"It was handled extremely well by both parents. Those parents gave them a wonderful life."
Mary, who was 21 when she began working for the family, added that Diana and her brother didn't know at the time the trauma that was going on behind the scenes with the court case.
Charles spoke about Princess Diana's death last week on Radio 4, which was just after the 23rd anniversary of her death on August 31, 1997.
He said, "Everyone's personal loss is so intensely personal. And 23 years ago, it was very much a public outpouring."
Charles continued, "I'm always surprised by how difficult August 31 is each year actually. I always slightly brace myself for it and it does take me out at the knees. It is a very poignant time."
Frances passed away in 2004 at the age of 68.
Click here to sign up to our daily newsletter to get all the latest news and hacks. Or if you have a story tip, email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.
