In The News

Former Royal commentator James Whitaker passes away

Former Royal commentator James Whitaker passes away

THE former Royal commentator James Whitaker has passed away at the aged of 71.

Mr.Whitaker was a Fleet Street legend who practically pioneered the way modern reporting of Royal affairs were carried out.

As royal editor of the Daily Mirror Mr. Whitaker broke a number of stories about members of the Royal family.

One of his most memorable scoops was the story that Princess Diana was suffering from an eating disorder.

The Princess memorably called him the ‘Big Red Tomato’ after he tracked her down on a ski slope wearing a garish outfit.

In 1998 he won a Scoop of the Year at the British Press Awards for his story about the Princess Diana’s relationship with Dodi Fayed.

During his long career Mr. Whitaker had worked for many of Fleet Street’s papers.

Friends described him as a larger than life character who loved fine living.

He always adopted the direct approach in his reporting. On one occasion he marched up to Prince Charles and asked him to comment on a story he had been given. 

Mr. Whitaker wrote a book, Diana vs. Charles: Royal Blood Feud, which looked at the marriage of the Royal couple.

Following news of Mr. Whitaker’s death, Buckingham Palace said: “Those in the Royal household who knew James were extremely sad to learn of his death”.

Mr. Whitaker passed away after battling cancer for a number of months.

To listen to an interview James Whitaker gave to George Galloway, click here.

 

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