The Truth Behind the Marriage of Charles and Diana

This article was originally published at lizanest.com.

The marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana began as the ultimate fairy tale — a dazzling royal wedding watched by millions around the world. But behind the glittering crown and picture-perfect photos lay a turbulent love story filled with hidden struggles, bitter rivalries, and shocking revelations. From whispered doubts before the wedding to scandals that shook the monarchy, every stage of their relationship carried secrets that only emerged years later. Here are the surprising truths, scandals, and untold moments that reveal what really happened inside “the marriage of the century.”

#1: Charles First Dated Diana’s Sister

When Charles first encountered Diana, he wasn’t courting her at all — he was dating her older sister, Sarah Spencer. Diana, just 16 at the time, made an impression, but no one could have predicted that she would one day become the future Princess of Wales.

Sarah later joked about the situation, insisting there were no hard feelings. Still, the unusual beginning of their connection added an ironic twist to the royal romance — one that hinted at the unconventional path their marriage would take.

#2: Diana Chose Her Own Engagement Ring

When Charles proposed in 1981, he presented Diana with a stunning sapphire ring surrounded by diamonds. The world assumed it was a rare royal heirloom, but the truth was surprising — Diana chose it herself from a catalog offered by the jeweler Garrard.

Critics whispered it wasn’t “exclusive” enough, but Diana adored it. Over time, the ring became one of the most iconic pieces of jewelry in history, eventually being passed down to Kate Middleton. What critics saw as common turned into a royal treasure.

The fairytale wedding of 1981 seemed picture-perfect, but behind the scenes Diana had serious doubts. Just days before walking down the aisle, she discovered troubling signs of Charles’ continued closeness with Camilla Parker Bowles. For a moment, she considered calling the whole thing off.

Ultimately, Diana went through with the wedding, watched by 750 million people worldwide. Yet the hesitation foreshadowed the struggles ahead — the so-called “wedding of the century” was built on cracks that only widened in the years to come.

#4: Charles Forgot to Kiss the Bride

At their wedding ceremony in St. Paul’s Cathedral, viewers around the world expected the classic “you may now kiss the bride” moment. But Charles never kissed Diana at the altar. Instead, the couple skipped straight past it, leaving audiences surprised by the break from tradition.

To make up for it, they kissed later on the Buckingham Palace balcony, a gesture that became an iconic photo. Still, the forgotten kiss sparked whispers that something wasn’t quite right from the very beginning of their marriage.

#5: Diana Upstaged Charles from the Start

On their first royal tours, Diana’s popularity instantly eclipsed Charles. Crowds chanted her name, showered her with flowers, and clamored for her attention. Charles, long used to being the star, found himself playing second fiddle to his new wife, a shift that quickly sowed tension.

Behind closed doors, Charles reportedly struggled with jealousy. Royal insiders later admitted that Diana’s instant stardom created insecurity for him, planting an early seed of rivalry that would haunt their marriage. The fairy tale façade was already cracking under the weight of competing spotlights.