Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer had a storybook wedding in 1981 after a short romance. But after the birth of Prince William and Prince Harry, their marriage took a turn for the worse. Both the Prince and Princess of Wales were unfaithful. Diana once said there were three people in their marriage. Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about the royal drama and the outsider incursion!
A Prince Is Born
Prince Charles Philip Arthur George Windsor was born at Buckingham Palace on November 14, 1948, when his grandfather, King George VI, was king. After the king died in 1952, Charles’ mother became Queen Elizabeth II, and Charles became the first in line to the throne.
Charles became the Prince of Wales in 1958, like most heirs have been since Edward II in 1301. However, he was not officially crowned until he turned 21 in a grand ceremony at Caernarfon Castle in 1969.
Diana’s Early Years
Diana Frances Spencer was born on July 1, 1961, at Sandringham Estate. Her parents were John and Frances Spencer, who held the titles of Viscount and Viscountess of Althorp. Diana came from a noble family, and all four of her grandmothers served Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. She was also a distant cousin of the famous Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill.
When Prince Charles became Prince of Wales, Diana’s parents got divorced, but she continued to live at Sandringham Estate, which her family rented from the royal family.
Bachelor Charles
Prince Charles joined the Royal Navy and was known to be quite the ladies’ man. He dated several women, including Georgiana Russell, the daughter of Sir John Russell, who was the British ambassador to Spain, Lady Jane Wellesley, the daughter of the 8th Duke of Wellington, and Davina Sheffield. He was especially taken with Camilla Rosemary Shand.
Camilla was the love of his life, but when he returned from his naval duties, he learned that she had married Andrew Parker Bowles and became Camilla Parker Bowles.
Prince Charles Meets Lady Diana
In November 1977, Charles was 29 years old and dating Lady Sarah Spencer, who is Diana’s older sister. While visiting Sarah at their family home, Althorp Estate, he he became quite taken with Diana, a 16-year-old schoolgirl.
Diana later said, “We sort of met in a plowed field […] I made a lot of noise, and he liked that, and he came up to me after dinner, and we had a big dance.” Charles joked, “I remember thinking what a very jolly, amusing, and attractive 16-year-old she was.”