The story of love and tragedy of the King of the United Kingdom has been the subject of intense scrutiny over the years. While the world was scandalized by the love triangle between Charles, Camilla, and Diana, few know of the existence of another woman who figured prominently in the life of the heir to the British throne. Her name was Lady Dale Tryon, and her love story with Charles remained in the shadows of the headlines, making her the forgotten lover of the then Prince Charles.
This woman appeared in one of the numerous letters Diana wrote to the Queen Mother, which were later burned in 1993 to protect the reputation of the royal family. There, William and Harry’s mother claimed that Charles had three mistresses at the time of his wedding: Camilla, an English socialite whose name has never been revealed, and Lady Dale Tryon.
Who is Lady Dale Tryon, Charles’ alleged mistress?
Born in Melbourne in 1948, Dale Tryon was the daughter of an Australian newspaper tycoon. She moved to London after graduating in 1972. It was there that she met and married Anthony Tryon, the third Baron Tryon and a close friend of Prince Charles at the time. It was Anthony himself who introduced Dale to the heir to the throne, and from the beginning, a deep affinity was established between them. During the 1970s and 1980s, their friendship developed into a sentimental relationship. They shared a passion for fly fishing, and Charles came to describe Dale affectionately as “the only woman who has ever truly understood me.”
However, at the time Charles was also involved with Camilla Parker Bowles, who was already married to Andrew Parker Bowles. Despite this, Charles maintained a close relationship with both women.
According to a 2008 documentary entitled “rince Charles’ Other Mistress, Charles was in love with both Camilla and Dale. In fact, when Dale gave birth to their first son in 1976, Charles wanted the child named after him and asked to be his godfather.
Charles temporarily interrupted his relationship with Camilla and Dale because of his engagement to Diana.
As Charles and Diana’s marriage began to show signs of crisis, Camilla had already returned to Charles’ life, while Dale, who had always been deeply in love with the prince, was forgotten.
Dale Tryon’s last years of life
Dale’s health deteriorated rapidly. The Perthes disease she had suffered from since childhood worsened, and in 1993 she was diagnosed with uterine cancer. The painkillers she was taking, combined with large amounts of alcohol, created a dangerous addiction, and in 1996 she had to be admitted to the Farm Place clinic.
It was during her stay at the clinic that the tragedy that marked Dale’s fate occurred. In a tragic accident, she fell from a window at a height of almost eight meters, becoming paralyzed. She spent the last 18 months of her life in a wheelchair before passing away at the age of 49 in November 1997 due to septicemia.
Lady Dale Tryon’s tragic life, marked by illness and addiction, is yet another illustration of the complex love affairs that have surrounded the British royals. Although her story has been overshadowed by the famous triangle between Charles, Camilla, and Diana, Dale’s impact on the prince’s life should not be underestimated.