Princess Diana was described as “cold” and “distant, except in the presence of paparazzi” in Reconciliation, memoirs by Juan Carlos I, who was Spain’s ruler for nearly 40 years

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Diana, Princess Of Wales has been called ‘cold'(Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Princess Diana fans have blasted claims the royal was “cold” and “distant, except in the presence of paparazzi”.

Juan Carlos I, who was Spain’s ruler between 1975 and 2014, has taken aim at Diana, Priness of Wales in his new memoirs, set to be published next week. He also used the book, called Reconciliation, to deny having an affair with Diana, whom he said was “cold, taciturn, distant, except in the presence of paparazzi”.

But fans of the late princess have slammed the book, rushing to Diana’s defence. One posted online: “This is repulsive… This is really not kind.” Another shared: “It’s completely undignified.” Another fan suggested it wasn’t fair for Juan Carlos to attack the departed. They wrote online: “Dead people can’t answer back.” A further Diana fan posted: “Nobody cares what you have to say. Princess Diana was always a better person than you.”

Diana stayed at the Marivent Palace, the Spanish royal family’s summer home in Palma de Mallorca, on four separate occasions with Prince Charles, William and Harry in the 1980s. These trips were during the early stages of Juan Carlos’ reign, which began days after Francisco Franco died.

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Diana fans jumped to the royal’s defence(Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

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Juan Carlos I was Spain’s monarch for nearly four deacdes(Image: Getty Images)

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Juan Carlos I, 87, has been married to Sophia of Greece and Denmark since 1962 but in the memoirs denied ever having a fling with Diana. She was alleged to have had several affairs throughout her life, including claims of a fling with bodyguard Barry Mannakee in the 1980s.

But fans again took exception to the accusations to which Juan Carlos I referred about affairs. One fan posted on social media: “Why say this now when Princess Diana has been gone 28 years?” Another stated: “Never speak ill of the dead.” A further comment reads: “Diana is not able to reply from beyond the grave, so why say things like this now?”

However, Diana reportedly said in a taped conversation, seemingly about Mr Mannakee: “I was only happy when he was around. I was like a little girl in front of him the whole time, desperate for praise. Desperate.” In 1986, Mr Mannakee was transferred to the Diplomatic Protection Squad after his managers had determined his relationship with Diana had been “inappropriate”.