The gift Charles never gave Diana

Princess Diana's outspoken personal designer has claimed that Prince Charles never gave his wife a single flower despite his love for gardening.

Paul Costelloe, 71, who worked for the royal for 15 years until her death in 1997, said she was "thrilled" when he personally brought her bunches to Kensington Palace while visiting for fittings, reports the Daily Mail.

But he claimed that Diana's husband Prince Charles, who she married in 1981, never did the same and that he was "reluctant" to pay for her dresses.

The Dublin-born designer - who created the iconic British Airways uniform in 1992 - said his "most amazing" work was for Princess Diana.

He has previously criticised other members of the royal family and in 2015 sparked controversy by claiming that Kate Middleton's fashion was "disappointing" and that she was "obedient".

Mr Costelloe said at the time: "Kate's not as individual as Princess Diana. She's not offering the excitement, unexpectedness and vulnerability that Princess Diana did."

He still works with members of the royal family such as Princess Ann and Zara Tindall, and designed the silver coat dress the latter wore to William and Kate's wedding.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, he claimed that despite the princess always being 'thrilled' when he took her flowers, he didn't think that Prince Charles - who she married in 1981 - had ever given her one. 

He said: "My other most amazing work was for Diana. I got paid well there - nice little cheques, signed by Prince Charles - probably reluctantly."

Asked what it was like designing for Princess Diana, he said: "I would go to Kensington Palace and bring her a bunch of flowers each time.

"She was so thrilled. I don't think he (Charles) ever gave her a flower."

After Diana's death, the gates of Kensington Palace were awash with floral tributes. Photo/Getty

Prince Charles is known for his love of gardening and after buying the stately home Highgrove House in 1980, he set about pouring his "heart and soul" into transforming its 25 acres of barren grounds.

Diana, who married him the following year, took no interest in the project whatsoever, viewing the garden only as a convenient place to take walks.

"If you bumped into her there, she had her head down and kept going," said head gardener David Magson.

She mostly confined herself to her sitting room, watching television or reading magazines.

Charles, for his part, left his young wife to her own devices and, as a beginner gardener, appealed to prominent friends and experts for guidance and tutorials.

They readily offered their services for free, which Charles just as readily accepted.
Speaking today, designer Costelloe added: "We Irish are free in our expressions, so I just called her Diana - I didn't bow or call her ma'am.

"I particularly loved a suit I designed for her, when she appeared in Hyde Park with Pavarotti.

"It was raining but she was sun-kissed and breathtakingly gorgeous. I get tears in my eyes when I think about her.

"She had a very close, friendly relationship with her children. All their best qualities come from her."

This article was first published on dailymail.co.uk and is republished here with permission.