The marriage of King Charles III and Princess Diana was once celebrated as a fairy tale, captivating millions worldwide. However, behind the royal façade, their union was marked by deep unhappiness, betrayal, and emotional turmoil.
From their extravagant wedding in 1981 to their painful separation in 1992 and ultimate divorce in 1996, their story remains one of the most tragic in modern royal history.
Diana, once the beloved “People’s Princess,” felt a “deep, deep sadness” when her marriage to Charles came to an end. Though she had long endured the challenges of royal life, the finality of divorce was an emotional blow that changed her life forever.
From the beginning, cracks were evident in Charles and Diana’s relationship. In the book Charles at Seventy: Thoughts, Hopes and Dreams, it was revealed that Charles had doubts about marrying Diana after only 13 dates.
He reportedly wanted to call off the wedding but felt trapped by royal expectations. His infamous response to a reporter’s question about whether he loved Diana—"Whatever in love means"—became a symbol of the cold reality behind their union.
Diana, at just 20 years old, was thrust into a world she didn’t fully understand. The weight of her role, combined with Charles’s enduring love for Camilla Parker Bowles, left her feeling isolated and unloved.
She later described herself as a "lamb to the slaughter" on her wedding day, realizing too late that the marriage was not built on love.
By the early 1990s, Diana and Charles’s troubles were no longer just whispers behind palace doors. In 1992, Andrew Morton’s explosive biography Diana: Her True Story—In Her Own Words exposed the truth.
Based on secret tapes Diana recorded, the book detailed her struggles with an eating disorder, suicide attempts, and Charles’s ongoing affair with Camilla.
The book’s release was a turning point. Diana’s revelations shattered the royal family’s tradition of silence, and the public was given a rare glimpse into the pain she endured.
As Diana put it, she would not accept the royal expectation of "structural infidelity," where affairs were tolerated as long as appearances were maintained. She wanted love, and it was clear she would never find it in her marriage.
After their official separation in 1992, both Charles and Diana spoke openly about their failed marriage. In a shocking 1994 TV interview, Charles admitted to being unfaithful, claiming he had remained loyal “until it became irretrievably broken down.”
That same night, Diana made a bold statement by stepping out in her now-iconic “revenge dress,” a black, off-the-shoulder gown that symbolized her newfound independence.
Diana’s response came a year later in her 1995 BBC Panorama interview with Martin Bashir. She famously said, “There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded,” directly addressing Charles’s affair with Camilla.
She also questioned whether Charles was fit to be king, further shaking the monarchy.
The interview was a defining moment in Diana’s public life. It gave her leverage to negotiate a divorce that favored her, as she had won the support of the people. However, behind the strength she projected, Diana was devastated.
She later admitted that her separation from Charles caused her a “deep, deep, profound sadness.”
Despite her emotional turmoil, Diana was hesitant about divorce. However, in December 1995, Queen Elizabeth II intervened, writing a letter to Diana urging her to end the marriage "in the best interests of the country."
The divorce was finalized in August 1996.
Diana received a settlement of £17 million and retained her title as Diana, Princess of Wales, but she was stripped of the prestigious "Her Royal Highness" status. Losing this title deeply hurt her, and it was said that her son, Prince William, promised to restore it to her when he became king.
After the divorce, Diana’s royal privileges were drastically reduced. She lost many of her staff, kept only a small team, and even gave up royal security. This decision would prove tragic, as it left her vulnerable in the months leading up to her untimely death in 1997.
Despite her sadness, Diana sought to rebuild her life. She continued her humanitarian work and embraced her newfound independence.
She was seen wearing a large aquamarine ring instead of her engagement ring, symbolizing her fresh start.
Meanwhile, Charles and Camilla became more publicly linked, paving the way for their eventual marriage in 2005. Diana’s revelations about Camilla had ironically solidified her rival’s place in Charles’s life.
Though she tried to move forward, Diana’s life was tragically cut short on August 31, 1997, in a car crash in Paris. Her death sent shockwaves around the world, and her funeral was watched by billions.
Even in death, Diana remained the “People’s Princess,” a beloved figure whose influence on the monarchy endures.
Diana’s divorce from Charles was more than just the end of a marriage—it was a turning point for the royal family. It exposed the flaws within the institution, forcing it to modernize in ways it never had before.
Her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, have carried on her legacy, ensuring that her impact is never forgotten. From William giving Kate Middleton Diana’s sapphire engagement ring to Meghan Markle wearing Diana’s aquamarine ring, her memory lives on in every royal moment.
Even now, decades later, the story of Diana and Charles continues to fascinate the world. Their marriage was one of heartbreak, betrayal, and public scrutiny, but through it all, Diana remained a figure of resilience and grace.
