Obituary: James Whitaker, ‘Tte royal reporters’ royal reporter’ who broke a number of stories about the Windsors

James Whitaker was the doyen of royal correspondents. He had an invaluable contact book – with the numbers of notable people he had carefully cultivated over many years – and bags of charm. As the Daily Mirror’s royal editor for a generation, he was responsible for breaking a succession of stories, most significantly the news that Princess Diana was suffering from an eating disorder.

But Whitaker was an unashamed royalist and a great admirer of the institution and, in particular, the Queen. In an article in the Daily Mirror when Prince William and Catherine Middleton got engaged he offered some advice – along with some trenchant comments on the behaviour of previous royal brides. “So where does this leave Catherine?” Whitaker asked. “Continue to look pretty and elegant (this is how you will be judged) and do masses of charity work. But most importantly, produce babies. Good luck.”

James Whitaker attended Cheltenham College and preserved a rather upper-crust accent throughout his life. Many colleagues called it “plummy” and they often said he was “grander than the royals”.

Nonetheless he was much respected by fellow journalists and recognised as an absolute professional who could spot a story instantly – especially a royal scoop. “Nothing beats a rollicking royal story on page one,” he once wrote.

His first job was in an accountant’s firm in Gloucestershire but that did not suit him and he began working on local papers in west London. In 1967 he joined the Daily Mail and then edited the William Hickey column on the Daily Express from 1971. Further assignments included working with The Sun and the Daily Star.

It was on the latter that Whitaker began to concentrate on royal reporting. His ability to ferret out royal stories was noticed by the Daily Mirror and he was appointed its royal reporter. Indeed such was his esteem in Fleet Street that Whitaker was known as “the royal reporters’ royal reporter”.

He himself called the months prior to the engagement of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer as “hectic, exciting and thrilling”. Whitaker followed Lady Di everywhere, from her flat in Earls Court to the school where she worked. He got to know her well and often wrote, over the years, sympathetically of her personal challenges.

Indeed, at the Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall in 1982 Whitaker was tipped off that a chair had been removed in the royal box. He was further alarmed when Princess Diana arrived late for the ceremony. He rang Lady Sarah McCorquedale (Diana’s sister) who confirmed that Diana had a serious eating disorder.

When he broke the story (“My Fears for Diana”) it was hotly denied by Buckingham Palace. Whitaker wrote later: “The Queen’s press secretary, Michael Shea, jumped in and said, ‘Absolute nonsense, not true, and this is disgraceful journalism and no basis for this at all.’”

Later it became apparent it was true and, to Whitaker’s credit, he never disclosed his source – despite much questioning.

Whitaker was a renowned figure in journalistic circles. He was a down-to-earth, popular journalist who enjoyed the thrill of the chase, breaking stories and beating his rivals to a royal scoop. But his charm and genial personality were admired by many of the royal family and also within the household.

He was a flamboyant character – always dressed in immaculate Savile Row suit, smart tie and well groomed, curly hair. His broad and welcoming smile made him a natural on television and he was often seen on ITV1’s This Morning and as a competitor in Celebrity Fit Club – winning the 2004 series.

Whitaker knew his worth and before any interview fees and conditions were firmly agreed. His ability to capture the essence of a royal event was exceptional. He found the right words for a solemn or light-hearted moment with consummate skill.

The royals clearly had a healthy respect for him: Princess Diana said at a function: “I quite like to hear James telling everybody how I’m feeling in the morning.” One of the princes dubbed him (much to his delight) the “red tomato” on seeing his considerable girth inside a tight skiing outfit.

Among his proudest achievements was being awarded The Scoop of the Year title at the Press Awards in 1998 for his story revealing Diana’s affair with Dodi Fayed.

Whitaker wrote many books on the royals but his 1993 account of the break down of the Wales’ marriage (Diana v Charles) won much praise for its balanced research.

Whitaker was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer a year ago and had a number of operations to remove tumours. He is survived by his wife, Iwona, two sons and a daughter.

Alasdair Steven