Hey there, royal enthusiasts! Let's take a deep dive into one of the most talked-about marriages in history: Princess Diana and Prince Charles. Their union was nothing short of a fairytale at first, but behind the glitter and glamour, there were some major ups and downs. Today, we’re breaking down every twist and turn of their 15-year marriage. So, grab your tea and let's get started!
A Royal Wedding to Remember: Diana and Charles' Big Day
Imagine this: July 29, 1981, at London’s iconic St Paul’s Cathedral. Diana Spencer, a young woman of just 20 years, walks down the aisle to marry Prince Charles, who was 32 at the time. Their 12-year age gap didn’t seem to matter to the millions of people worldwide who tuned in to watch what was being called the “wedding of the century.” Diana’s marriage to Charles was her only one, and it lasted until her tragic death in a car crash in August 1997 at the age of 36. This relationship will forever be etched in history as one of the most fascinating royal love stories.
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The Beginning: How Diana Met Prince Charles
Theirs was a meeting that would change history. Back in November 1977, a 16-year-old Diana Spencer met Prince Charles, who was then dating her older sister, Lady Sarah. It wasn’t love at first sight, but fate had other plans. Fast forward to the summer of 1980, and Charles began to see Diana in a different light during a polo match. By November of that year, Diana was invited to meet Charles’ family. The courtship that followed was filled with excitement and anticipation. In February 1981, Charles popped the question with a stunning 12-carat sapphire and diamond engagement ring that has since become legendary.
Diana and Charles on their wedding day in 1981. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
What Went Wrong? The Reasons Behind Their Divorce
As the years went by, the cracks in their marriage began to show. Reports suggest that the nearly 13-year age difference started to weigh heavily on their relationship around five years after they said "I do." But that wasn’t the only issue. Charles’ complicated relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles added another layer of tension. In fact, author Penny Junor, in her book The Duchess: The Untold Story, suggests that Charles might have made a huge mistake by marrying Diana in the first place. “He was the architect of the disaster,” Junor writes, sympathizing deeply with Diana’s plight. Another author, Sally Bedell Smith, revealed in her book Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life that Charles was still deeply in love with Camilla the night before his wedding to Diana. Despite his reservations, Charles felt pressured to settle down, leading to a marriage that wasn’t built on love or readiness. During their time together, both Charles and Diana were accused of infidelity. Tragically, eight years after Diana’s death, Charles married Camilla.
MORE: Prince Charles Found Solace in Friend Nancy Reagan Amidst the Breakdown of His Marriage to Princess Diana
Love After Charles: Diana’s Post-Divorce Relationships
After their divorce was finalized in August 1996, Diana began a new chapter in her life. She started dating British-Pakistani heart surgeon Hasnat Khan. Their relationship lasted almost two years, though they kept things incredibly private. Diana often denied to the press that she was seeing anyone, maintaining her usual grace and dignity. However, their romance ended in July 1997. Just a month later, Diana began seeing Dodi Fayed, the son of Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed. Tragically, their lives were cut short when Diana, Dodi, and their driver, Henri Paul, were killed in a devastating car crash in Paris in August 1997.
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