When they were first published in 1967, the diaries of MP Sir Henry ‘Chips’ Channon enthralled and appalled the nation in equal measure. Malicious and delicious, the diaries skewered some of the grandest names in society and politics.
What no one realised was that the diaries had been heavily censored. Now they are being published for the first time in their full, outrageous glory.
The American-born Chips, as he was known, settled in Britain after graduating from Oxford and became a social climber on a grand scale, becoming friendly with the future Edward VIII — the then Prince of Wales — in 1920.
Chips (pictured) was bisexual and had numerous sexual liaisons with both men and women. Our second extract features some of those, together with his fabulously indiscreet observations about London society
He went on to become a close friend of Edward’s brother the Duke of Kent and mixed with the grandest families in the land (and indeed married into one of them when he wed Lady Honor Guinness in 1933).
They had one son, whom he adored, but the marriage was not happy. She had many affairs (one with her ski instructor) and in 1945, they divorced.
Chips was bisexual and had numerous sexual liaisons with both men and women. Our second extract features some of those, together with his fabulously indiscreet observations about London society.
Winston AND Clemmie – Tuesday May 17, 1927
Winston Churchill pictured in 1930 with his wife Clementine – according to Channon, he exerted ‘his conjugal rights at odd times and in unexpected places — frequently after a debate etc’
G [Channon’s friend and lover, George Gage, a courtier] dined at the French Embassy, dining in state with the King and Queen [George V and Queen Mary].
G was between Mrs Winston Churchill and the Lady Mayoress.
Mrs Churchill confided to someone the other day that she never knew when she was safe from Winston; he exerts his conjugal rights at odd times and in unexpected places — frequently…
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