Chef reveals the Diana the world never knew about

London, Nov 11 : Diana's chef, who worked for Charles and her for 13 years, has disclosed a collection of personal letters from the Princess of Wales- including a birthday card showing 24 condoms of all shapes and colours hanging on two washing lines.

Mervyn Wycherley revealed that when Diana was pregnant she craved for bacon sarnies and told how Charles's bodyguards would radio ahead to ensure his boiled eggs were cooked at exactly the right time.

Mervyn, who's single, revealed that he was amazed by the condom card. Inside Di wrote: "Dear Mervyn, Wishing you a very happy birthday, with much love from Diana, X."

She also bought a Valentine card printed with the message, "Hey Valentine! Not many men will receive a Valentine's card from Princess Diana . . . and you're one of them!!" ervyn also received numerous thank-you notes and requests, as well as cards from young princes William and Harry.

"I've got nothing but wonderful memories of working for the Prince and Princess - it was a great honour to be their chef. It was just like a family. They worked incredibly long hours and we did as well, just to keep up," the Sun quoted him, as saying.

Mervyn cooked for Charles and Di during their honeymoon on the Royal Yacht Britannia.

He revealed the Princess once greeted workmen wearing just a dressing gown - and a tiara.

He said: "Diana was always popping into the kitchen at Kensington Palace, to raid the fridge or have a chat. One day a lift broke down and we had engineers in. It was the State Opening of Parliament that day and Diana's hairdresser had already weaved a tiara into her hair.

"The Princess wanted a yoghurt from the fridge and swept into the kitchen wearing just her dressing gown and tiara. She came out laughing her socks off."

Mervyn, who now runs his own London-based catering firm, said Charles's bodyguards would radio ahead with his time of arrival to ensure his eggs were perfect. He said: "The Prince liked boiled eggs and crumpets for tea after a day's hunting. But his eggs had to be boiled for exactly four minutes, so I always kept three pans boiling, just to be safe."

Mervyn is now selling 100 items from his collection, with reserve prices ranging from 60 pounds to 1,500 pounds, at an auction in Colchester, Essex, on November 24.

ANI