A new royal book is shedding light on an unexpected and controversial friendship between King Charles and the disgraced TV personality Jimmy Savile.
The upcoming release, Yes, Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants, reveals how the then-Prince Charles formed a close bond with Savile that lasted for decades—long before the horrifying crimes committed by the BBC star were uncovered.
The book, written by Tom Quinn, provides insights from royal staffers over the years and includes shocking details about their friendship.
It shows how the future King, introduced to Savile in 1966 by his uncle, Earl Mountbatten, grew to rely on him for personal and professional advice.
A Friendship That Lasted Nearly 50 Years
The connection between Charles and Savile became so strong that Savile was seen as more than just a TV star.
He played various roles in Charles’s life, acting as a media adviser, marriage counselor during Charles’s troubled marriage to Princess Diana, and even a party planner.
Savile was also seriously considered for the role of godfather to Prince William and Prince Harry.
Quinn’s book describes Savile’s growing influence over the years, with the royal family appearing to trust him deeply.
In fact, at one point, Charles asked Savile if he would consider joining the royal staff full time.
However, Savile declined, preferring to stay in the public eye as a television personality.
Savile’s Special Treatment from the Royal Family
Savile’s proximity to the royal family earned him unusual privileges.
Not only did he become the first civilian to be awarded a green beret, making him an honorary Royal Marine, but he was also highly regarded by Charles.
Upon Savile’s 80th birthday, Charles sent him a personal gift—a box of cigars with a note that read: “Nobody will ever know what you have done for this country, Jimmy.”
Despite Savile’s later fall from grace, the royal family continued to show him respect.
When he passed away in 2011, he was buried with a royal tribute, and a Christmas card sent by Charles years earlier even surfaced on eBay for sale in December.
The card, which wished Savile a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, was sent in 2003 and carried a gold gilt seal from the Prince of Wales.
It was valued at £1,500 when it went up for auction.
Written Exchanges and Auctioned Items
As their relationship deepened, Charles and Savile exchanged numerous letters, some of which have since been auctioned off.
In one instance, a handwritten letter from Charles to Savile was sold at an auction, thanking him for a £40,000 donation to a hospital.
Other items in the collection included a telegram from the Prince and Princess of Wales with their children, and a formal invitation from Savile to Princess Diana.
These personal items, which were once part of Savile’s estate, were expected to bring in between $400 and $1,000 when they were put up for sale.
Savile’s Dark Secrets Unveiled After His Death
The depth of Savile’s connections with the royal family stands in stark contrast to the man he later became known as after his death.
In 2011, Savile was posthumously revealed to be one of the most notorious sexual predators in British history, with numerous victims coming forward to accuse him of abuse spanning decades.
His ability to exploit his public image to gain trust and access to vulnerable individuals made his crimes even more shocking.
It’s important to note that, at the time of their friendship, King Charles was not aware of the horrific allegations against Savile.
The book sheds light on how the future monarch may have been entirely unaware of Savile’s dark side during their long-standing relationship.
A Reflection of a Royal Misstep
The revelations in Yes, Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants are sure to spark further debate about the royal family’s judgment in forming relationships with public figures like Savile.
As the book draws closer to its release, many will be left questioning how such an influential and long-standing friendship could have been maintained without awareness of Savile’s true nature.